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Decongesting CBD

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Written By narayan82 - 16 June, 2008

Bangalore Congestion BMTC CBD Brigade Road Volvo public transport

As we see in other cities across the world, the Central Business District is always the most congested area. Hence many schemes have been introduced such as Congestion Tax, Pay and Park/Ride..etc

The CBD in Bangalore (M G Road, Richmond Road...etc) is packed to the brim. In fact is it overflowing. Parking is always a pain, and traffic crawls almost at all times in the day. We must implement a way to decongest this area.

My Suggestion:
People often take the chance against parking and insist on driving till the doorstep of the Mall/Shop. This happens especially with Cars with Chauffeurs. We need to encourage people to park an designated parking areas and use public transport to move around within the CBD. This can be done in the following way:
  1. Have a frequent , high capacity, luxury (Volvo) bus running within the CBD. Please refer to the map attached below. These busses can be used to get from anywhere in the CBD to any designated area within it, with a small bit of walking.
  2. Have designated multi level/grounds/schools/public parks as Parking Areas where the cars are safe, parking is easily available and easy to locate. These parking lots must be located all around the CBD to suit cars coming in from all directions. The same applies to two wheelers.


With these two in place the following measure can be taken:
  1. Impose a Congestion Tax Per Car. This tax can vary with the No. of passengers in the car. For E.g 1 passenger (Rs.300) for 4 passengers (Rs.500). Two wheelers too can be imposed a smaller fee. Delivery Vans, Courier Vans, Essential Service Vehicles can be exempted from this tax. Also residents of the Area can be exempted from this tax and instead pay a smaller monthly fee.
  2. Ban all Autos and Taxis from this area. Hence no Auto Stands, no Taxi Stands etc.
  3. All parking areas around the CBD can also have Taxi Stands and Auto Stands.
  4. Route all BMTC busses to go around the CBD.
This will bring down congestion buy a huge degree. Once people get used to the Parking facilities they will also realise the pros of this idea.

But before such a scheme is implemented the govt./civic bodies must implement the following:
  1. Upgrade ALL footpaths and Pedestrian crossings to a very high level of satisfaction.
  2. Remove all encroachments onto the pedestrian area.
  3. Remove ALL vendors on the pavement.
  4. Have regular patrols along the area.
  5. Have emergency services on stand by within the area.
  6. Have enough Sky walks and Lollipop men at crossings.
This way we can also create much more shopper friendly areas. For E.g. Brigade road can be completely for pedestrians. We can also have street performances and other cultural activities to make it more pedestrian friendly.

This enforcement can take place between 10:30 AM and 10:30 PM allowing retail outlets and others in the area to stock their supplies.

Some areas can also be a Drop Off Zone only. Where it is in the lines of An Airport. So there would be heavy enforcement against double parking/exceeding the time limit etc.

If this is implemented/worked out and proves to be a solution then we can create multiple CBDs in the city such as Gandhinagar, Koramangala and Jayanagar.

COMMENTS

Recent Mercer Survey

mcadambi - 17 June, 2008 - 15:57

I read in this month's 'The Hindu', that among Indian cities, or rather for this South Asian region - Bangalore leads in Quality of Life.

We certainly have the potential to become a leading city of the world. We must get our act together - especially as concerned citizens if we are going to achieve it. 

Have underground parking

mcadambi - 17 June, 2008 - 15:58

Ideally, BRV police grounds (next to Chinnaswamy Stadium) can have undergound parking. I don't think it is wise spoiling the sanctity of Manekshaw Parade Grounds, given it's historical and cultural significance.

Light Rail Loop within CBD

mcadambi - 16 June, 2008 - 16:37

Atleast a light rail loop can be implemented within the CBD. If this is connected to both the Metro and prime bus routes, then congestion can be solved. Strict parking rules and paid parking can also be immediately implemented.

CBD "entry point" - park and ride system?

silkboard - 16 June, 2008 - 18:05

A high frequency shuttle running through the CBD, and linking prime spots with designated parking areas - a very good thought.

Perhaps you can extend this a bit more in this way. Have all designated parking areas on the periphery of the CBD, these could then become the CBD "entry points". Each entry point will server as the toll collection point as well as the park and ride stop.

  • you want to get to the CBD, head to the nearest "entry point".
  • park your car there. you are guaranteed a shuttle in 5-10 minutes
  • take the shuttle to the office (day time) or restaurant/theater/mall (evening)
  • if you dont like the shuttles, bring your car or taxi in, but pay the congestion tax at the entry point toll gate.

As you suggest, BMTC buses could drive in deeper to the CBD without requiring an interchange to the shuttle at "entry points". This would encourage some to abandon the car altogether.

I there will be plenty of people willing to pay the congestion surcharge, in turn paying for the shuttle service.

Only problem is - how do you re-route or discourage long distance traffic that wants to drive through the CBD area. You can't force them to take a longer route unless you have better roads to offer. And you can't ask them to pay a surcharge if CBD isn't really their destination. Perhaps this is where the Inner Core Ring Road (ICRR) comes in.

ICRR - Bang on

narayan82 - 17 June, 2008 - 03:54

SB, your right, if this scheme is implemented traffic that passes CBD needs an alternative route which currently does not exist. ICRR - if this was to be widened, then a lot of prime expensive land has to be aquired which doesnt make economic sense. For E.g. a Fly over at Vellara Junction ran into trouble as the land aquisition cost exceed the cost of building the flyover. What we need is a relatively fast ICRR and a SOLID, WIDE, SIGNAL FREE ring road! Hence The quickest way to get from A-B is to hit the ring road and drive along till you get to the nearest Exit to B. Delhi seemed to have a good Ring Road. I once had to ride from Aurobindo Marg (IIT) to Papar Ganj, and I used to ring road and dint encounter a signal/traffic jam. Was very easy to navigate too.

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