Monday, October 4, 2010

Response to – UNDERGROUND OR OVER ? U-TURN IIT PROF LEAVES MMRDA CONFUSED

SUNDAY MIDDAY – OCTOBER 3, 2010

It appears in 2003, IIT and TCS were consulted while preparing Metro Rail Master Plan for the city of Mumbai by DMRC.
 
Generally, these Master Plans indicate various alignments across the city and its impact on existing Development Plan. It does not suggest whether to run Metro routes as Elevated, Underground or on Surface.
 
Exact of location of stations and detailed map of via ducts are then prepared after in-depth survey of the physical condition of the proposed alignment, as well as its integration with other modes of public transport.
 
The detailed report prepared by IIT in September 2009, ought to have been initiated by MMRDA (and not citizens). Infact we are deeply concerned for high capital intensive projects like Metro Rail should have all options worked out with sufficient reasons for each of them, before it is implemented.

We the citizens reiterate that Metro Rail projects are not profitable and it’s a fate accompli. Therefore whatever resources we spent should be most appropriate and accountable with commitment to time.

Nitin Killawala: Architect

4 comments:

  1. PROFESSOR Dr. S L DHINGRA AS CONCLUSION IN HIS SAID REPORT OF SEP 2009 SAID IS QUOTED HERE BELOW WHICH IT SELF IS AN EXPLANATORY TO MMRDA’S SPOKES PERSON DILIP KAWATKARS STATEMENT PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 3,2010 SUNDAY MID DAY.

    LET US EXPOSE MMRDA HOW THEY ARE FOOLING PUBLIC USING PRESS AS MEDIUM.

    FIRST OF ALL MMRDA SHOLD EXPLAIN PUBLIC AS A RESPONSIBLE PLANNING AGENCY WHY THEY FAILED TO THINK ABOUT UNDERGROUND METRO AT PLANNING STAGE. AFTER ALL IT WAS MMRDA’S DUTY TO BRIEF THEIR CONSULTANT.

    BY SAYING NOW ITS LATE FOR US TO CHANGE OUR PLAN MMRDA COMMITS THAT IT WAS THEIR GAME PLAN TO BUILD ELEVATED METRO RAIL IN SUBURBS OF MUMBAI.

    FURTHER LET US BRUSH UP MEMORY OF MMRDA AND BRING TO THEIR NOTIC THAT THEY HAD FULL KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC DEMAND FOR UNDERGROUND METRO BEFORE THE TENDERS WERE FLOATED AND FINALISED. LARGE NO OF PEOPLE LIVING IN SUBURBS DEMANDED IN WRITING FOR UNDERGROUND METRO. ON RECEIPT SUCH LETTERS IN LARGE NO THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY CONDUCTED PUBLIC HEARING. SO AFTER CONDUCTING HEARING WHY MMRDA HURRIED AND COMPLETED PROCESS OF AWARDING TENDERS WITHOUT CONSIDERING UNDERGROUND OPTION. ITS FOOLISH ON THEIR PART TO SAY DR. DHINGRA SHOULD HAVE COME UP WITH SUGGESTION FOR UNDERGROUND METRO TO DMRC. IT IS ACT OF SHIFTING OWN RESPONSIBILITY TO SOMEONE ELSE. MMRDA SHOULD BETTER NOT START WORK AT ALL RATHER THAN IMPOSING BAD PLANNING ON PEOPLE OF MUMBAI. LET THE BETTER SENSE PREVAIL.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PROFESSOR Dr. S L DHINGRA AS CONCLUSION IN HIS SAID REPORT OF SEP 2009

    QUOTE
    The lack of comprehensive integrated transportation plan for the city and the suburbs is leading to conflicts between individual plans. The MMRDA being a planning agency for the Government of Maharashtra has not yet taken any
    planning initiative to comprehensively address these complex transportation issues, especially the MMRDA brief to their consultants. A viability study for underground metro was never considered. Decision to pursue with Elevated
    metro is thus taken arbitrarily without any comparative evaluation.
    The Elevated metro plan for Mumbai’s suburbs have no future expansion potential. This factor is detrimental to the planning and implementation of any public services particularly, for transportation. Underground metro will at any time have possibility of expansion with additional routes and directions thus having possibility of dealing with future needs and demands.
    The people living in the suburbs are being clearly discriminated. MMRDA has proposed underground metro for the city i.e., from Bandra to Colaba. It is a known fact that the densities in the suburbs are equal and even higher than
    most parts of the city. The volume of construction is higher due to TDR use, SRD projects, growing slums and so on…
    The central idea for an Underground Metro is to locate stations in and around open spaces alongwith a host of amenities and parking. Thus we have an opportunity to create new urban landmarks by way of designed public squares,
    gardens and landscapes.
    Vehicular and Pedestrian accesses could be well dispersed around the open spaces. These open spaces would then act as effective interface between the metro and existing realities.
    A political will in transforming Mumbai into a ‘better city to live-in’ then an Underground Metro system would in fact be the only option to implement. In the highly congested corridors, the social benefits outweigh for the
    Underground Metro. compared to the Elevated Metro. This is obvious on the account of very high direct and indirect cost savings of Underground Metro

    As concluding comments it is justified - technically, socially, economically,
    environmentally and from all angles, to plan for an Underground Metro to get relieved from the innumerable perennial sufferings which are beyond any cost the citizen can foresee due to Elevated Metro. Government should take care
    for the public and to solve the future problems for mass transport. Therefore it is suggested to go for Underground Metro for the whole length. Economic viability and bankablility of Underground Metro is far more superior than
    Elevated Metro.
    The underground metro will contribute positively to the quality of life in the city for several generations.
    UNQUOTE

    ReplyDelete
  3. PROFESSOR Dr. S L DHINGRA AS CONCLUSION IN HIS SAID REPORT OF SEP 2009 SAID IS QUOTED HERE ABOVE WHICH IT SELF IS AN EXPLANATORY TO MMRDA’S SPOKES PERSON DILIP KAWATKARS STATEMENT PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 3,2010 SUNDAY MID DAY.

    LET US EXPOSE MMRDA HOW THEY ARE FOOLING PUBLIC USING PRESS AS MEDIUM.

    FIRST OF ALL MMRDA SHOLD EXPLAIN PUBLIC AS A RESPONSIBLE PLANNING AGENCY WHY THEY FAILED TO THINK ABOUT UNDERGROUND METRO AT PLANNING STAGE. AFTER ALL IT WAS MMRDA’S DUTY TO BRIEF THEIR CONSULTANT.

    BY SAYING NOW ITS LATE FOR US TO CHANGE OUR PLAN MMRDA COMMITS THAT IT WAS THEIR GAME PLAN TO BUILD ELEVATED METRO RAIL IN SUBURBS OF MUMBAI.

    FURTHER LET US BRUSH UP MEMORY OF MMRDA AND BRING TO THEIR NOTIC THAT THEY HAD FULL KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC DEMAND FOR UNDERGROUND METRO BEFORE THE TENDERS WERE FLOATED AND FINALISED. LARGE NO OF PEOPLE LIVING IN SUBURBS DEMANDED IN WRITING FOR UNDERGROUND METRO. ON RECEIPT SUCH LETTERS IN LARGE NO THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY CONDUCTED PUBLIC HEARING. SO AFTER CONDUCTING HEARING WHY MMRDA HURRIED AND COMPLETED PROCESS OF AWARDING TENDERS WITHOUT CONSIDERING UNDERGROUND OPTION. ITS FOOLISH ON THEIR PART TO SAY DR. DHINGRA SHOULD HAVE COME UP WITH SUGGESTION FOR UNDERGROUND METRO TO DMRC. IT IS ACT OF SHIFTING OWN RESPONSIBILITY TO SOMEONE ELSE. MMRDA SHOULD BETTER NOT START WORK AT ALL RATHER THAN IMPOSING BAD PLANNING ON PEOPLE OF MUMBAI. LET THE BETTER SENSE PREVAIL.

    ReplyDelete
  4. PROFESSOR Dr. S L DHINGRA AS CONCLUSION IN HIS SAID REPORT OF SEP 2009 SAID IS QUOTED HERE ABOVE WHICH IT SELF IS AN EXPLANATORY TO MMRDA’S SPOKES PERSON DILIP KAWATKARS STATEMENT PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 3,2010 SUNDAY MID DAY.

    LET US EXPOSE MMRDA HOW THEY ARE FOOLING PUBLIC USING PRESS AS MEDIUM.

    FIRST OF ALL MMRDA SHOLD EXPLAIN PUBLIC AS A RESPONSIBLE PLANNING AGENCY WHY THEY FAILED TO THINK ABOUT UNDERGROUND METRO AT PLANNING STAGE. AFTER ALL IT WAS MMRDA’S DUTY TO BRIEF THEIR CONSULTANT.

    BY SAYING NOW ITS LATE FOR US TO CHANGE OUR PLAN MMRDA COMMITS THAT IT WAS THEIR GAME PLAN TO BUILD ELEVATED METRO RAIL IN SUBURBS OF MUMBAI.

    FURTHER LET US BRUSH UP MEMORY OF MMRDA AND BRING TO THEIR NOTICE THAT THEY HAD FULL KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC DEMAND FOR UNDERGROUND METRO BEFORE THE TENDERS WERE FLOATED AND FINALISED. LARGE NO OF PEOPLE LIVING IN SUBURBS DEMANDED IN WRITING FOR UNDERGROUND METRO. ON RECEIPT SUCH LETTERS IN LARGE NO THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY CONDUCTED PUBLIC HEARING. SO AFTER CONDUCTING HEARING WHY MMRDA HURRIED AND COMPLETED PROCESS OF AWARDING TENDERS WITHOUT CONSIDERING UNDERGROUND OPTION. ITS FOOLISH ON THEIR PART TO SAY DR. DHINGRA SHOULD HAVE COME UP WITH SUGGESTION FOR UNDERGROUND METRO TO DMRC. IT IS ACT OF SHIFTING OWN RESPONSIBILITY TO SOMEONE ELSE. MMRDA SHOULD BETTER NOT START WORK AT ALL RATHER THAN IMPOSING BAD PLANNING ON PEOPLE OF MUMBAI. LET THE BETTER SENSE PREVAIL.

    ReplyDelete