Bengaluru: Flagging the city’s traffic situation as challenging, Niti Aayog has recommended a three-pronged strategy to address the multiple issues through targeted infrastructure development and traffic management projects.Niti Aayog’s latest report, released early this month, has recommended fast-tracking three key infrastructure projects: Peripheral Ring Road (PRR), Metro connectivity to Bengaluru airport, and suburban rail project (BSRP).The report — Investment Friendliness Index — evaluated states based on readiness to attract, facilitate and sustain investments. It said there was a dire need for speedy development of the pending projects to improve Bengaluru’s overall quality of life and business operations.Interestingly, PRR and Metro projects have been running behind schedule by several months despite deadlines being extended multiple times. Niti Aayog advised that the suburban rail project should be prioritised to reduce traffic and improve connectivity. The joint project between the Centre and the state was approved in 2020, and not even one of the four corridors has been commissioned yet.The report said the city’s infrastructure, if improved, can positively uplift the perception of global companies and visitors, attracting more investment and talent to the region.City-based rail expert Sanjeev Dyamanavar said that while PRR helps in reaching from satellite towns to the airport without cutting through the city, suburban rail serves a different purpose since traffic comes from either Byappanahalli or Yeshwantpur.According to Dyamanavar, a Metro line to the airport will not guarantee a reduction in traffic. “Congestion will still continue since passengers and associated activities will increase at the airport. In the past 2-3 years, traffic on KIA road has increased. Metro will make sure it doesn’t get any worse,” he added.“For 10 years, we’ve been demanding that these projects be completed. Thanks to delays, the financial burden has ballooned since these projects are funded partially through loans,” said Rajesh Bhat, a mobility activist. “Despite having existing tracks, there is no provisional suburban rail system. The govt is focused on unscientific flyovers and tunnels,” he added.Confirming that Metro and suburban rail might help cut down traffic volume, Ashish Verma, professor of transportation systems engineering, IISc, argued that PRR, on the other hand, cannot be a solution to bring down traffic. “Many ring roads in many cities are built to cut congestion. In the absence of strict land use control along the corridor, these roads lose their purpose, defeating the objective.” The expert gave the example of the tech corridor along ORR in support of his argument where development of all kinds is allowed along the road.What’s Investment Friendliness IndexNiti Aayog has developed the index on 90 indicators related to investment friendliness, feedback from industry stakeholders and investor perception survey across all states of the country
STRANDED MOTORISTS ON AIRPORT ROAD
