A Plan called Non - Plan for Kochiates

by Dhanuraj. D

It looks so awkward when we do not forecast the possibilities and challenges that are very much possible within the existing framework. Here is a classic example of such a planned non plan; traffic congestion at LuLu Mall at Edappally. Since this construction for LuLu Mall started, it would have been anyone guess that thousands of footfalls expected in the mall on everyday basis would create traffic snarls and congestion around Edappalli Junction. It seems that authorities concerned neglected or ignored this possibility for many years until the mall got inaugurated. I would say such a sham to decision makers and visionary leadership (?) we have!

While the construction of the Mall was going on, the authorities could have initiated the steps to find the solutions to the traffic congestion that would be created by the Mall. In fact, I remember our suggestions (CPPRs) on a few occasions. We had suggested a hub and spoke model and transport grid organised from Edappally connecting Mobility Hub. In another meeting, we suggested to have the Edappally Metro station on one of the floors of Mall. Unfortunately these suggestions were not even heard by the authorities. There were suggestions offered by other groups as well. They were also turned down. From the authorities part, they did not do anything until the Mall got inaugurated.

I wonder how do we prosper to become the coveted Economic Power status when such incidents are so frequent in this country. It is something similar to demographic dividend prospects. Even though we knew that we could take advantages of having a younger population for a couple of decades, we are still planning for schools and how many schools we may require to tap this advantage.

I don't know why we don't learn from mistakes. Or is it because we lack scientific temperament? But one thing is clear and convincing. We are good at non - planning for the planned projects.

The Plan called Mobility Hub Vyttila

by D. Dhanuraj

I was not at all surprised by this reaction of the commuters in  the Mobility Hub premises but was rather excited by the fact that they reached out to the public and authorities in a very enterprising manner. What is Mobility Hub? that is a question that demands not the definitions but the comprehensiveness about the plans and processes in the ground. Mobility Hub is maximised for the meeting of different modes of transportation at a major place. They meet each other as the location ideally suits for the convergence and distribution of different transportation networks accordance to the mobility features of the commuting population. It should save energy, time and offer seamless flow of traffic using any of the modes available. These modes shall be readily available and the information regarding the same shall be easily obtained for the demanding passenger. In lesser time, one should be able to interchange the mode of transport (if required) to reach the final destination.  

In the past, whenever I traveled across the state of Kerala, I wondered how many bus stands each city or township has? At many places I found three. One of the reasons they have cited is that there requires two separate bus terminals for KSRTC and Private Buses. From an economic view point, I am curious why KSRTC owns hundreds of hectors of land for this purpose across the State. While KSRTC in loss making brackets, why cant they innovate on this owned properties. 

Same logic has been applied in the case of Vyttila Mobility Hub also. They have reasoned out to have separate bays keeping it separate from Private Bus operators'. It is sad to witness children, senior citizens along with the tired and exhausted floating population run between the bays to get on to buses at the peak times. Why can't KSRTC and private buses operate from the same bus bay for the same destination? I must ask this question to the authorities? whom are you serving in the Mobility Hub? aren't the commuting population  your clients and customers? Have we been defeated ourselves in defining the purpose and motive of Mobility Hub? 

Please provide access and accommodation to the commuters. No one has to loiter around to figure out the various services offered by the operators. If that is the case, why do we need a mobility hub? why can't we have the traditional bus stands in the city? 

JnNURM buses in Cochin

by D. Dhanuraj

Recent controversy regarding operational issues of JnNURM buses are expected to happen in any set up that lacks ownership, reasoning and service quality checks. Originally, these Buses were given to Cochin Corporation. Since the Corproation did not show much interest in owning JnNURM buses for various reasons (cited many reasons as per the media reports), the responsibility was given to KSRTC. Now the controversy is all about which routes these buses shall ply and not..

One news paper picture attracted me; Mayor and Deputy Mayor staging a protest (or Dharna?) in front of a JnNURM bus that was supposed to schedule its trip to Trivandrum. It surely depicts how the system works in this situation. Though the buses are meant for Cochin Corporation, there is no direct say for Cochin corporation in the operation and management of the fleet. It is pity not because KSRTC is managing the buses but the way the system is structured. Many a times, I wondered who decides what kind of buses and transport system is required for a city in India; is it Local Municipal Corporation or State Government or Central Government? In this case, under the JnNURM scheme, around 200 low floor buses were allocated to the city but I am not sure how did they arrive at 200 (if i can believe media reports)? Was there any study on the floating population and corridors of high dense commuters before allocating these many buses? Are we sure these Volvos, Marcopols and Tatas fit to our bylanes and arterial roads? or the size of the buses are fit with the traffic and commuters flow from the cost benefit angle? here starts the perennial issues of a centralized system.

The buses are meant for Kochi Corporation or metropolitan area. Many argue that buses to Muvattupuzha and Kuthattukulam are against the norms and it violates JnNURM agreement. But KSRTC says some of these routes are profitable. At the same time, there are Vyttila - Vyttila circular services, which render accumulated loss. Now the controversy; buses are rescheduled for Kottayam, Trivandrum, Calicut and Nilamboor and the response; as usual - protest, dharna and media debates. Again, one has to wonder why these routes are chosen. Most of them oppose it because it is against the norms and violation of procedures for JnNURM buses.

We need to approach these issues in a different manner. JnNURM buses are primarily meant to sustain the public transport in the cities. The vibrancy of any city is its floating population. When buses are scheduled in a particular route, a scientific analysis of the proposed corridor density and the volume of commuters to Cochin shall be analysed. If more commuters and floating population to Cochin are in Muvattupuzha route, then it shall be permitted even if JnNURM rules do not permit it. All these shall be decided by the Corporation with the support of a dedicated transport research wing.

Lastly, I am not sure these Volvo buses are designed for long distance trips. I wish KSRTC has sought advice from Volvo regarding this. But I must urge the Government to permit private Air conditioned buses to operate in these long distance routes during day time. If they think there are takers for Volvo in these routes, why cant they allow private bus operators also so that there will be large in number offering quality services.