Wednesday, February 29, 2012

MRTS to get a new lease of life




Chennai:
The Mass Rapid Transport System in Chennai, which is under-utilised, poorly designed and lacks maintenance, is expected to get a new lease of life by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority.

Sources say CUMTA may focus on enhancing the visibility and image of the MRTS besides enhancing the potential of the vacant built-space in rapid transit system (RTS) Stations.

Sources say plans are also on to exploit the RTS for improving the rider ship and improving the revenue streams.

Interestingly, a study, which was initiated by Goethe Instut in collaboration with Anna University as part of year of Germany celebrations, found many RTS stations lack basic infrastructure required for commuters and is underutilised.

German Prof Gunter Nest and architect Tyco Cote of Habitat  Forum Berlin had stated that inter-city railway stations in Chennai do not enjoy the status of traffic hubs or meeting points that could add to the character of urban life. At present they are mostly just huge structures.

Interestingly, sources said CUMTA is also exploring the merits of introducing common ticket available to travel both in rail and bus and most probably National Common Mobility Card which was introduced by the union government may be deployed.

Sources said plans are also on to corporatise the mass rapid transport network besides corporatization of the suburban rail network.

Plans are also on to operate bus services to match with the timings of the suburban and RTS operations, especially at major rail terminals.

Some proposals include:
-- Examining the feasibility of inter-connecting the
Chintadripet and Chepauk RTS Stations by a skywalk

---Construction of skywalk from the Marina Beach to the corresponding RTS Station

--- Making the approach road to the Thiruvallikeni RTS neat and tidy with street lighting after removing the encroachments

--- Reconstructing the foot over bridge east of the Egmore Railway Station and extending across Gandhi Irwin Road.

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