The Hindu Business Line : Govt to set up National Urban Transport Info Centre

In a bid to predict traffic patterns for planned urban development, the Government is setting up a National Urban Transport Information Centre, which would serve as a repository of information pertaining to aspects such as traffic, emission, ridership and travel behaviour.

"We have invited offers from consultants, who would give us a report on how the information centre can be set-up. We are working on issues like which data elements would be important for the proposed database and what information has already been collected through various means," sources told Business Line.

The database can serve as a primary-resource while deciding the transportation requirements of a place given the traffic pattern.

"It would help policymakers and implementation agencies to determine the feasibility of projects being undertaken," sources added.

The move assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent Budget announcement on having metro systems in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The project, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Urban Development, would take the shape of a database that would house crucial information related to accidents, traffic, emission, land use, ridership, and travel patterns.

"There would be 50-60 parameters that will be covered under 5-6 headings under the projects. We also plan to include health related data. For instance, we could look at the percentage of people who are admitted to AIIMS with bronchitis," sources said adding that the project was being conceptualised as part of capacity building measures under the proposed National Urban Transport Policy.

So far, the virtual lack of a database on urban transport statistics has severely constrained the ability to formulate sound urban transport plans and reliably assess the impact of the different initiatives that have been taken.

Rising mobility needs

At present, India's urban community is about 30 per cent of its total population. It is projected that India's urban population would grow to about 473 million in 2021 and 820 million by 2051 as against 285 million in 2001.

The rapid growth has necessitated a need for cities to meet the mobility needs of the current population and also provide for the projected requirements.

More Stories on : Information Technology | Transport

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
AI Express may skip Delhi, Mumbai this summer

IA urges Govt not to give Jet `special rights'

Govt to set up National Urban Transport Info Centre

Mumbai port set to regain past glory

JM Baxi to roll out container train in June

Station names inside AC coach

Madhucon bags Rs 330-cr NHAI order