Sir,
With reference to the news item on widening of Irwin Road (SOM dated Nov. 6), it is commendable that the government is offering above market rate compensation. However, it is short-sighted to think that this will take care of traffic congestion permanently.
Bengaluru is a nearby example of how when roads are widened and flyovers built, the extra space is rapidly occupied by more private cars and congestion continues.
Internationally, the emphasis is on building public transport systems, introducing congestion charges, car pooling, etc., to reduce the number of private cars, often carrying a single passenger, on the roads.
It will be far-sighted and better for Mysuru to plan a bus rapid transport system like Ahmedabad and a metro system to address future growth to help decrease number of private vehicles on the road.
In some of the world’s biggest cities like New York and London, hardly any private cars are seen in central areas. People working in central business districts in high positions take the metro to work because public transport systems with dedicated bus lanes and metros help to get the commuters to their destinations much faster.
Seoul city sky park is a good example of how developed cities actually shut down flyovers. A 1970s flyover was shut down and converted into a park, an accessible place for people rather than cars. While it may be too late to rethink Irwin Road, it will be good if the people and planners of Mysuru look for public transport as the future.
– Usha Srinath, Saraswathipuram, 7.11.2018
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Widening or building more roads is not going to lessen the traffic congestion. We seem to forget that undisciplined drivers, both four, three and two wheelers. Indiscriminate issue of drivering licenses to unqualified drivers who bribe. There are lot of drivers who would not know the traffic rules and inefficient enforcement by the traffic police. Add to this the fact it is part of the culture to violate rules with impunity. This not only a traffic problem but also a societal problem. What is the solution? To be honest, I have no idea!!
Mysore is most suitable for Tram trains in CBD to ease congestion and effective eco friendly public transport where government does not need to build concrete bridges like most other congested cities.
Connect Tram route Railways station, private bus stand, Government hospital, suburban bus stand, Taluk office, Harding circle, zoo, Mysore palace & Exhibition Ground, Gun house, Mysore corporation, City bus stand, DD urs road, Maharaja collage, Railways station
Existing roads in CBD should be developed and modified like Tender sure roads of Bangalore with proper lane management, entry and exit ways, parking space, pick and drop space, footpaths, walkers friendly and cycle friendly.
Proactive innovative engineering solutions should be implement rather just demolishing and extending road, it will just occupy more vehicles but not ease traffic congestion, Mysore can be developed in top a world class green city.