Agenda that was submitted by CPPR to Cochin Corporation on January 28, 2011.
Agenda for City Corporation
1. Rearrange the city traffic and bus routes with the support of Traffic police and RTO.
a. Studies indicate that bus routes cater only 30 % of the urban agglomeration of Cochin. There are many places in agglomeration that need Kms of walk to reach the nearby bus stops.
b. Rationalization of bus routes in city needs priority. Many routes in city are either redundant or obsolete. Many of the routes are relevant when most of the existing roads (new connectivity) were not even visualized decades before. Now, with the changing scenario, routes need to be revisited for public transport so that burden on the Central Business District (CBD) can be reduced.
2. Rearrange the city bus stops
a. Most of the bus stops are either misplaced or irreverent. Bus stops especially at the mouth of an over bridge and at the junctions cause traffic blocks and congestions. This needs to be reevaluated and inspected on a priority basis.
b. There are many bus stops that are unlawful. Buses stop intermittently blocking the lane traffic is another reason for traffic blocks in city
3. Synchronise the signals at junctions.
a. Signal systems need to be updated on a frequent basis. This shall be done on the basis of traffic surveys carried out at the junctions on a regular basis.
b. A traffic management system with expertise in traffic experts and not the traffic police.
4. Effective dispute redressal system placed in corporation.
a. Those who come to the corporation office for different needs get a professional treatment. Dispute resolution system to sort out the issues within a reasonable time will be praiseworthy.
b. Mayor shall initiate regional face to face meetings (like Lok Adalats) on a frequent basis. There shall be a forum where Mayor reaches out to the general public.
5. Move to declare the city as pedestrian friendly city. (pedestrian audit)
a. Unfortunately, movement of private and heavy vechicels are given priority in the CBD region. Planning shall commence from the pedestrian point of view. Most of the city regions do not adhere to Indian Road Congress mandate on the pedestrian facilities to be provided on the street.
b. Involve civil society organizations and resident associations to conduct pedestrian audit on a regular basis.
6. Thrust on urban mobility and free flow of traffic
a. Focus shall be the mobility. Seamless traffic flow is possible with the rearrangement of bus routes, bus stops, rationalization of bus routes and dedicated bus routes. Sustainable public transport meeting the demands of the commuting population shall be the key area for development and discussion.
b. Bus rapid Transit System can be introduced at a fractional cost of Metro. This will help to ease out the present system till the metro comes to city.
7. Cycling tracks in the city
a. Cycling tracks along with pedestrian sidewalks are the global benchmarks for any livable city. Cycles which form the non- motorized mobility plans are very much significant in the overall improvement of urban area.
8. Rating and quality assessment of roads constructed and repaired by an external committee representing the civil society.
9. Tracking of bus positions using GPS. This will be displayed on display boards placed at bus stops for passengers' convenience.
10. Display of time schedule of public transport at bus stops and numbering of bus routes.
11. Public comfort stations
12. Create activity zones and neighborhood play zones and green space leisure activities in the city by raising FAR.
a. City is witnessing horizontal growth for many decades. Debates on vertical growth ensuring urban amenities shall be initiated. This would ensure a livable city concept having play grounds, street furniture and green space in the neighborhood areas.
13. Fees, payment of bills, issuing of certificates (application included) and tax remission through corporation websites.
a. Try to maximize the use of IT platforms for the needs of the citizens while dealing with corporation. They don’t have to come to corporation offices for paying fees/tax, to get certificates etc. this shall be done online.
14. Identify parking space at the major transit points and develop multi layer parking systems.
15. Provide better feeder systems at all the major transit points including railway stations, bus stands, Boat jetties so that there is no intermittent delays.
a. first and last mile problems are not solved in India. It adds to the issue of more private vehicles on the road. Better feeder system supporting the public transport will make sure that demands of the general public is addressed.
b. Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) shall be notified soon. This will help all the stake holders including railways, Metro, KSRTC, PBOA, Auto Unions, Taxi etc sit around a table and come up with sustainable solutions. This would increase their revenue as well.
16. Increase the inland water navigation systems. City commuters shall be given the option of taking boats.
a. Cochin has a very vast water frontage area which is suitable for inland navigation. Most of the port cities have developed in land navigation as the main stay of the urban mobility unlike cochin. Provide boat services and leisure activities that would reduce the traffic on the main roads. Moreover, it is cheap also.
17. Convert MG Road and Marine Drive into walking plaza and entertainment zones.
a. Downtown concept is absent in the city. Once parking facilities are given, some of the streets can be denied of private vehicle entry. Streets shall be the spaces where evening walks and leisure activities can be carried out. Outdoor dining, music, painting etc can be promoted at these places to make it a truly loveable city.
18. Revive/reclaim canals in Cochin city.
Studies need to be carried out to revive canals like Perandoor, mullassery etc. efforts shall be focused towards to revive/reclaim these canals so that water related issues can be settled for ever.
19.Storm water drainage
20. Garbage disposal stations and the effective mechanisms to handle the waste treatment. Dust Bins shall be provided at every place.
21. Information kiosks about the city information at major transit points.
22. City should have direction board in regional language and in English.
23. There can be complaining registration center to register complains on buses, auto rickshaws and taxies.
24. Exclusive market for street hawkers (Exclusive area for street hawkers) needs to be implemented. GIS study needs to be carried out to identify the appropriate areas for setting up these markets.
25. Formation of an urban task force
Declare
An ideal complete streets policy:
• Includes a vision for how and why the community wants to complete its streets
• Specifies that ‘all users’ includes pedestrians, bicyclists and transit passengers of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses and automobiles.
• Encourages street connectivity and aims to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected network for all modes.
• Is adoptable by all agencies to cover all roads.
• Applies to both new and retrofit projects, including design, planning, maintenance, and operations, for the entire right of way.
• Makes any exceptions specific and sets a clear procedure that requires high-level approval of exceptions.
• Directs the use of the latest and best design criteria and guidelines while recognizing the need for flexibility in balancing user needs.
• Directs that complete streets solutions will complement the context of the community.
• Establishes performance standards with measurable outcomes.
• Includes specific next steps for implementation of the policy
Refer: http://www.completestreets.org
