Teta-a-Tete/Interview

Now it is Metro for Bangaloreans but get set for a joy ride in cable way very shortly.

There is plan proposal with government to introduce cable way or rope way as efficient alternative public transportation system in Banngalore says Prof N. Sreehari Advisor to government on transportation, infrastructure, traffic

L.Raghunanda
4th Estate
Bangalore

Teta –A Tete with M.N Sreehari advisor to government of Karnataka on traffic, transportation and infrastructure also CEO of the Consortia of Infrastructure Engineers, Bangalore on his views and vision for Bangalore city as regard to placing efficient public transportation, infrastructure for the city.

What are the area which need to be taken up where administrators for the Bangalore city have neglected? Which you as advisor to the government in area of traffic, transportation and infrastructure do suggest for improvement?

Prof M.N Sreehari; Administrators and planners should focus on infrastructure development like transport, power, water, buildings etc, as is has been neglected since long time, though always they claim that they have taken care. Perhaps this development will lead Bangalore to compete globally and emerge as leading city of the world.

Will mass rapid transport system like metro, and public transport services will help to reduce traffic congestion, traffic woes?

Prof M.N Sreehari: Bangalore city requires multi modal integrated sustainable transport to meet the transport demand and supply.

In this direction, Metro, Mono, Light rail transit, Commuter rail, high capacity buses on dedicated lanes, high speed rail etc, are some of the modes which will have to be integrated so as to meet the present and future transportation requirement.

Together with this to relieve the congestion, road pricing congestion tax will have to be introduced in CBD areas except for mass transport system. One has to see the futuristic transport system with innovative technologies and alternate fuel run vehicles as conventional fuel get exhausted in the year 2040

How can the city been taken next level of being called itself ‘ fastest eco-friendly city of the 21st century’ how can this be achieved?

Prof M.N Sreehari; Considering pollution as the big threat to health perspective of road user and citizen, there is a need to look beyond for a type of vehicle which occupy less space, environmental and eco friendly higher capacity faster and safe transport system for this century as well as for the coming years.

How do you rate the attitude of people of the city, whether it need to be changed, this is with regard to apathy on the major segment of population clearly seen, with common people demanding best service but not complaining?

Prof M.N Sreehari: Whatever system introduced it is to be noted that is for the public and the society.

Until and unless, public are well aware and the know the responsibilities to take it forward, then only the desired goal can be achieved.

In Bangalore, most of the traffic violations are made by educated people which in turn responsible for collecting Rs 38 crores as fines. It is very important that road user must follow traffic rules, regulation irrespective of the time frame (day or night).

According to experts in urban planning or so called urban managers push and pull being the main factor for much of the inflow of people from many places to city like Bangalore has created chaos, just give your view?

Prof M.N Sreehari :It is believed that about 5-8 lakh people come to Bangalore city daily either for business or any other kind of activities and add up to Bangalore already existing population.

However no one will deny that, if push from village or smaller towns to city like Bangalore has to stemmed, administrators, politicians, even entrepreneur must create opportunities for the youth, the educated and, if there are uneducated youth for them also.

So better one should not complain about chaos, instead must find how this chaos evolved, originated and see that it is set right.

What is the new mode of transport do you suggest for the city if there are alternative other than bus service, metro, is there any likelihood of you suggesting government to introduce mono rail ? Your views on that?

Prof M.N Sreehari: While suggestion has come to introduce mono rail, government is still thinking of it, whether to introduce it or not, probably if they introduce it is only in few destination, but not sure about it.

But I have suggested government to introduce cable way, probably as alternative to public transportation like bus service, metro, and the plans and papers are with government to introduce cable way.

And according to our plan proposal submitted to government initially cable way will be introduced in Old airport road, West of Cord road, Bannerghatta road, and Kanakapura road.

As of now the cost of introducing it for just 1 km is Rs 20 crore, if the rope way or cable way under the very same MISTER-PRT technology USA if it wanted to be introduced.

But one thing is assured compared to any other public transportation such as metro or monorail, the time gap to finish of laying down of pin and rope will not be more than 3 months if you consider for just 10 kms of laying it.

It is the most efficient means of carrying people with 10 carriageway where at one time more than 700 to 1000 people can be carried , environmentally friendly with present traffic chaos it is best option with interconnectivity best established linking shopping places, airport,

The cable way popularly known as Metropolitan Individual System of Transportation on Elevated Rail (MISTER), MISTER popularly known has been successful in Poland, it has been successfully operating in Poland in the city of Opole .

Sreehari said “During my last visit to the Opole city, MISTER Public Rapid Transport (PRT) MISTER -PRT the company which has derived the very name under MISTER-PRT has taken interest to introduce the same service in developing countries like India.

So it is thought by me why not suggest asking government in Karnataka to be introduced the same service in city like Bangalore.