Toll collection at Aroor

Any construction work related to national highways is looked with lot of suspicion these days. the main reason is that of BOT mechanism adopted by national highway authority (NHAI). many complain that the toll fee levied at Aroor is exorbitant in a state like Kerala. NHAI and Central Government counters it saying that these numbers are accepted elsewhere hence why not in Kerala. they cite the examples of other states and then add that Kerala is richer than many other states in that respect to give this toll fee. I accept the argument that Kerala society has some how cultivated the habit of getting everything free be it water supply or electricity. at the same time, I disagree with NHAI argument on the pricing front. I am not sure how did they arrive at the same figures as such they apply in other states. NHAI publications report that PCUs per day on Aroor-Edapplly stretch is about 50000. this shows that this is a high dense corridor. they are expecting the numbers to grow to 70000 by 2015. vehicle ownership in Kerala is 1:6 and in Kochi it is 1:4. this is very much different from national averages. So BOT model should look for volume business since high number of vehicles are passing through this corridor. the rates shall be revised according to the number of vehicles that use this corridor. this is a classic example what happens when the decisions are taken in Delhi and not at the local level studying the demand and supply. Central Government should not decide on the local pricing though National Highway Authority is involved in the process. the decision should be left to the local government.

there is one more argument to substantiate the above reasoning. Kerala is different in the car sales pattern as many own premium cars and vehicles. those who own premium vehicles shall be taxed in these scenarios though the argument on equity front may differ. but i would conclude that it is the market driven mechanism to support and sustain the public transport.

Watch towers at Junctions

For the last few days, what amazes me is the way watch towers function at the various junctions in Cochin. even the busiest junction of Vyttila could not ignore it. Once we are asked to look at the various improvement plans at Vyttila, watch tower started playing a major role in junction improvements in Vyttila. initially, I was thinking that I am correct in my perception about the watch towers for their utility and significance in urban mobility plans.

It was shocking once our team started observing the traffic movements at Vyttila. Junction is designed in a poor way and then the watch tower and related space take away a huge amount of land unused. if the aim of the design was to give ambiance to the whole location. it is no more there. other day, i found labour removing grass from the whole area. if they wanted to provide pedestrian island, the whole area is fenced so that no one can use the area. every one complains about Vyttila Junction and then we found out that there is so much of space for a better junction design but unfortunately they are ill managed and designed.

watch tower at Vyttila took my interest to similar junctions at other parts of the city. in most of the cases, we found that watch towers have no utility. most of them consume good space intruding into the free and seamless flow of traffic. i think we need a watch tower audit in cochin. i wish the civil society organisations will take a serious look at this issue. watch towers can be designed and erected in a better way and the space they consume at present can be left for free flow of traffic.

Report on petrol price hike and its impact in Kochi

Study reveals 17% reduction in petrol sales 

A rise in petrol prices is not a new phenomenon for Kerala. After its deregulation in June 2010, petrol price was hiked eight times. Research states that in April 1989, petrol cost Rs 8.50 per litre, while diesel was Rs 3.50. Today, petrol costs Rs 65.6 per litre, after a Rs 5 increase on May 15, 2011. Due to public concern, the Kerala government waived off sales tax on the hiked portion of the price, which brings the price down by Rs 1.25 per litre. A study conducted by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) at various petrol pumps in Kochi shows a 17% reduction in petrol sales in litres after the hike and an 11% reduction in petrol sales in rupees. 

This hike in petrol prices is sure to hurt the common man, irrespective of class or creed. However, rising fuel costs is also an opportunity to promote the usage of public transport. An endeavour like Bus Day assumes larger significance here, not just to mitigate concerns of rising fuel costs, but also to promote the cause of sustainable development.