Flyover a short-term solution, robust transport infra must

By - DR Ashish Verma

Mobility is the basic need for the wellbeing and prosperity of an individual, society or a nation, and nobody can argue on this basic requirement. Projects like steel flyover may possibly solve the city's mobility problems but are no way sustainable solutions. In other words, the effectiveness of such measures has proved to be for a very short time.

From our own experience, it has been proved beyond doubt that flyovers and underpasses (whether short or long) don't solve the congestion prob lem but only shift the point of congestion from one place to another. Projects like CNR Rao Circle or Mehkri Circle underpasses have only shifted the congestion points to the junctions before and after, particularly during peak traffic time.The same is the situation with the elevated expressway to the airport, where the time saved in reaching Hebbal from the airport is lost in jams over and below the Hebbal flyover.

Unfortunately, such unsustainable measures are largely perceived by the political class as `populist' measures that can turn into votes during polls. To a large extent, we as citizens are also responsible, after all 'populist' is that's popular and acceptable by the masses, who aspire to drive their own car.

Ironically, Bengaluru and many Indian cities have got trapped in the “vicious circle of congestion“. It started with the economic boom that began in early 1990s, resulting in exponential growth of car ownership, particularly since car is largely seen as “the“ symbol of prosperity in our society (from small

cars

to SUVMUVs now to luxury cars in future). This led to more congestion and increased travel time, necessitating new flyovers an underpasses besides widenin of roads. Commuting by ca became easier and faster, favouring the urban sprawl. People could travel longer distances in the same time, further increasing the number and average length of trips. Eventually, things are getting back to square one. More congestion and delay on the roads are forcing us into the same loop again. The flyover will only suck us deeper into this vicious congestion circle.It's high time we break this circle before Bengaluru loses out to some other city as the preferred place to live and work.

It's equally important that commuters will not adopt sustainable modes like public transport, walking, cycling unless they come with some perks.Do we have a safe and comfortable public transport system, well connected walking and cycling infrastructure (should be integrated with public transport as well), the right kind of land-use transport planning that naturally promotes sustainable modes? Unfortunately, we don't. To achieve this level of sustainable infrastructure, we need a complementary set of policies like congestion charging, parking restrictions, priority for public transport, pedestrianization of the streets, besides incentive schemes to promote usage of sustainable modes and funding the infrastructure needed.

(The writer is transport expert and professor)