Over 50% Vizagites prefer to walk, claims report

VISAKHAPATNAM: About 52% Vizagites prefer to walk in the city, while only 2% use cars, says a study report on the mode of transportation by urban transport consultancy, Innovative Transport Solutions (iTrans), conducted under the Government of India's Sustainable Urban Transport Programme (SUTP).
During a power-point presentation to various stakeholders, including the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), at the GVMC office here on Thursday, the representatives from iTrans and SUTP said that 52% of the citizens prefer walking, 2% use cars, 15% use two-wheelers, 18% opt for public transport services like RTC buses, 9% take auto-rickshaws, 3% travel cycles and 1% use other modes of transportation.This apart, the iTrans team also said that nearly 30% of the pollution in the city is caused by motor vehicles.
The representatives made the power-point presentation after conducting a sample study in 2014 on the mode of transport of nearly 3,000 people in key areas like Dabagardens, Dwarakanagar, Jagadamba Centre, Maddilapalem, Gajuwaka, Madhurawada, RK Beach, Akkayyapalem, Rednam Gardens, Siripuram Junction, Pedawaltair, Isukatotha, NAD Junction, Gopalapatnam and Dondaparthy.
"The study was carried out in 2014 and the presentation was made to the stakeholders, including us, on Thursday. There will be subsequent meetings on the report in the next few weeks at the secretariat level. I doubt if 52% of Vizagites prefer walking," a senior GVMC official, who participated in the meeting, told TOI. The iTrans team also showed the study report on Aizawl city in Mizoram, the officer added.
The SUTP is a project of the ministry of urban development that aims to strengthen capacities of government agencies, including municipal corporations like GVMC, to reduce urban transport emissions that damage the environment.
GVMC commissioner Pravin Kumar said the corporation is committed to encouraging cycling and walking in the city and is taking all possible steps to achieve this. The corporation is already engaged in developing footpaths in the city. The study report of iTrans will benefit GVMC, which will include it as a one of the components of the smart city project, he added.