Title - Chakka jam by 2030

LUDHIANA: There will be a day not too far from now when bumper-to-bumper traffic will no longer seem such a nightmare. For, a survey report prepared by RITES, the consultancy arm of Indian Railways, suggests that if public transport vehicles do not share at least 60% of city's traffic burden by 2030, things would come to a complete standstill as there won't be even an inch of space left to drive.The city, which presently has close to 30% of its traffic beincarried by public transportation, will have to increase this share to over 50% by 2020, states the survey report, "Comprehensive Mobility Plan", which a team of RITES shared with the civic authorities on Tuesday."The company started the survey in 2009. The representatives of RITES will meet officials of various departments, including police and GLADA, and take their feedback before preparing the final report. The recommendations that they shared with us today mostly relate to enhancing public transport system in the city," Ludhiana municipal commissioner R K Verma told LTOI.He added that according to the report shared by RITES, as little as 30% of city's commuters take the public transport, with autorickshaws taking the biggest chunk of the pie. "The percentage has to be increased to 50% by 2020 and 60% by 2030. The Metro rail, city bus service and some other modes of public transport will be the right steps in this direction," Verma shared more details of the report.

Another important recommendation made by RITES is the extension of Metro project in different phases, whereby implementation of the already proposed two corridors would happen in the first phase. The extension of these corridors from Phillaur to Doraha, on Ferozepur Road towards Mullanpur, and on Chandigarh road towards Kohara could take place in subsequent phases till 2030, the report suggests.

The report also recommends Bus Rapid Transport Corridors ( BRTS), which means separate lanes for buses and for other transport as well. In another suggestion, RITES mentions that there is a need for some more commuter trains for daily passengers from Ludhiana to Ferozepur, Chandigarh and other important stations nearby.

RITES has also recommended widening of Jagraon Bridge and a flyover starting from near Police Station Division No. 5 towards Vishvakarma Chowk.

Verma, however, said there was a long way to go before the final report as RITES was yet to take feedback from individual departments. "Apart from that, some traffic surveys will also be conducted, including a few in villages and periphery," he added.