March 23, 2011
Earlier this week the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an international organization Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). The MoU will be in effect for two years, and it calls for ITDP to provide the RMC with technical assistance to improve the city’s overall environment, mobility, and public space.
At the MoU signing, Rajkot municipal commissioner, Dinesh Brahmbhatt, said, “We are committed to develop people friendly, safer and international quality road infrastructure and facilities in Rajkot city, especially for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users. ITDP will provide us technical assistance to achieve our objective.”
ITDP’s Senior Program Director, and head of ITDP India Ms. Shreya Gadepalli said, “ITDP’s effort is to help and support RMC for a world class pedestrian and cyclist friendly road designs. We will be providing technical assistance and advisory support to RMC in the field public transportation, non-motorized transport, traffic demand management and training and capacity building officials.”
Rajkot, is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Even today, nearly 55 percent of their population uses public transport, walks or cycles to their destinations. City Program Manager, ITDP India, Anuj Malhotra said, “Though there is a lot of push towards building and improving streets, the non-motorized transit requires planning and design attention. Good quality walkways, cycle tracks, shaded streets, vibrant streets and good public transit are some of the key areas where ITDP shall provide technical advice to the city.”
Rajkot’s Traffic Mode Share
Walk: 28%
Cycle: 21%
Bus: 0.5%
Auto Rickshaw: 5.5%
2-wheeler: 32%
Car: 13%
Source: CMP, RMC
Read the coverage from India:
RMC-ITDP pact for public transport
City ties up with ITDP for better street, cycle track designs