Transport policy to focus on road sustainability

The transport policy of Kerala to be finalised by November this year would focus on sustainability of roads along with the creation of additional lanes for bus bays and parking facilities throughout the major roads in the state.

To ensure sustainability, the roads would be strengthened and widened according to the traffic volume in each area. To ensure the safety of passengers, the present parking system including the bus bays would be restructured scientifically and proper markings would be made.

Public Works Department (PWD) design and wing director Abdul Nazar, who is consolidating the various suggestions and recommendations for the Kerala Road Policy 2012, said that when investments were made on roads, the sustainability should be ensured.

The major junctions would be redesigned in such a way that there would be vehicle accessibility from the side roads to the junctions without affecting the normal traffic.

“Traffic obstacles are witnessed in major roads with unscientific parking of private vehicles and public transport. Bus bays will be created at major points and land will be acquired for the purpose,” he said.

A draft of transport policy has already been submitted by the National Transportation  Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) to the State Government. Before finalising the policy, the State Government has invited recommendations and suggestions from the public.

Natpac director B G Sreedevi said that experts in the transportation sector from various divisions in the state would be invited to Thiruvananthapuram to share their experience. The programme ‘Kerala Transport Vision 2030’ would discuss the transportation needs of Kerala in 2030.

“The programme is scheduled to be held in August this year. The experts who will be attending the function will share their recommendations on serious issues that the state faces, such as lack of infrastructure, utilisation of water ways and multi-model transport system”, she said. According to Abdul Nazar, there was no proper public connectivity from airports, railway stations and bus stations.

The present scenario would be analysed by experts and they would find out the problems in this sector.

A draft of transport policy has already been submitted by the National Transportation  Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) to the State Government

The draft policy suggested the restructuring of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) to make it a transport regulator than a mere revenue collection and licensing agent.

It was found that around 5 lakh vehicles were now being added on to the state roads every year. A major chunk of this vehicle stock was found in the urban region causing traffic congestion.

The suggestions from all the departments from the state would be considered before finalising the policy.

A presentation was made in front of all the MLAs in the state and they have submitted their views and suggestions.