Bhopal Municipal Corporation
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Route Rationalization and Integrated Bus Service

Plan for Bhopal City

 

 

Bhopal Municipal Corporation organized a conference on "Route Rationalization and Integrated Bus Service Plan for Bhopal City " at Hotel Lake view Ashoka on 23-02-2009 under the chairmanship of Honorable Mayor of Bhopal Mr. Sunil Sood.  This conference was well attended by Public representatives, central and state government officials and print a& Electronic media persons. Among the guests, prominent names are:  Mr. Ramdayal Prajapati, President, Bhopal Municipal Council, Mr. Ashok Pandey, Opposition Leader, BMC, All the Corporators, BMC, Mr. Vishnu Khatri, Vice Chairman BDA, CEO BDA, DSP (Traffic), RTO  Bhopal,  Mr. Ram Krishna, Assistant Vice President, UMTC, Mr. Hitendra Mehta, Mehta  & Associates,  Mr. Manish Singh Commissioner, BMC. After welcoming the guests, Commissioner BMC Mr. Manish Singh set the tone for the conference by succinctly explaining the subject and various issues related to Urban Mass Transport in Bhopal. After that UMTC and Mehta Associate's representatives presented the Route Rationalization and Integrated Bus Service Plan for Bhopal City. This plan was prepared for City Buses to be purchased under JNNURM, private Mini buses, Tata Magic, Auto and taxis. This Plan aims to remove the conflict between different modes of Public Transport and creates a level playing field for all modes so that Public transport can become a win-win situation for all stakeholders– Operators of these modes of Public Transport, public at large, environment and Authorities.
 

Bhopal city routes are divided into five categories Trunk route, Standard route, Complimentary routes for minibuses, Routes for Tatamagic and routes for auto and taxies. On the trunk routes and standard routes, only BCLL will operate the AC and Non AC buses. Private minibus will be assigned complimentary routes, Tata magic will ply on the IPT routes assigned to them. These roads categories are made to eliminate the inter-modal conflict and to avoid chaos and over speeding of vehicles. This will make whole public transport system financially viable, user friendly, efficient and systematic. The proposed routes will be modified if required, after receiving suggestion from the stake holders.
 

Mr Rma Krisha UMTC explained that this route planning is based on thorough traffic and transport surveys conducted in Bhopal. After  estimating the travel demands on various city roads, they came up with this draft plan. Commissioner BMC Mr. Manish Singh explained to the gathering various routes and the logic behind selecting these routes. Various useful and pertinent suggestions were received during the discussion held after the presentation.

 
Mayor Bhopal Mr. Sunil Sood while addressing the gathering outlined the various concerns related to the growing congestions on the city roads. He explained that space and means for developing and widening roads are limited and vehicular traffic is increasing day by day. If this situation continuous then there will be no space left for the traffic on the roads. He gave stress to the fact that there is now an urgent need to shift the peoples moving in private vehicles to public transport modes to reduce the congestion on the roads. He also suggested that Bhadbhada area and its adjoining developing area should also be included in this plan.
 

Mr. Ram Dayal Prajapati, President BMC gave suggestion on reducing

Traffic loads on those roads, which are overloaded due to heavy traffic. Mr. Ashok Pandey, leader of opposition suggested that this plan should be discussed with other stakeholder’s such as mini bus operators also because their acceptance is required before implementing this plan. Mr. Vishnu Khatri Vice Chairman, BDA suggested that Cancer and TB Hospital at Idgah should be connected with suitable modes of public transport. Mr Shahid Ali  and Amir Akil, MIC Members also expressed their views.
 

Mr. Manish Singh acknowledging the suggestions said that all the relevant and useful suggestions would be included in the Plan. This plan will be discussed with the Mini Bus Operators and other stakeholders in the second phase. These concerns and suggestions will be incorporated in the plan after due diligence with traffic authorities. The finalized plan will be presented to the Transport Committee of Bhopal City for approval.