With its emphasis on making people use public transport as a habit, the Delhi Government, on Friday, gave its go-ahead for the introduction of an ‘integrated multi-modal transport’ system in the national Capital.
The Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) has approved the project wherein 34 Metro stations will be developed under this unique system to ensure last mile connectivity for city dwellers. The Metro stations, which will be developed under the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS), shall include upcoming stations under the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) Phase III project. Some of these are Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Rohini Sector 18, Mukundpur, Shakarpur, Okhla Phase-III, Nehru Place, GK Enclave, Gokulpuri, East Azad Nagar, Krishna Nagar and Karkardooma stations.
Providing the feel of a world-class city, the stations shall boast of direct pedestrian skywalks to all neighbourhood destinations so that people can walk to the Metro station directly rather than coming on ground level and looking for motorised transport to cover short distances.The project aims at providing properly designated spaces for all modes such as buses, autos, rickshaws, cycles and so on within five-minute walking catchment of the stations. These stations will also have basic amenities like toilets, proper signage (in local language and pictorial), cafes, vendor-stands, lighting, trees and shading devices for commuters.
Besides, it was also decided at the Governing Body meeting of the UTTIPEC chaired by Delhi lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung that all parks within 500 metres influence area of the Metro station exists shall be devoid of boundary walls and have transparent fencing only to ensure visual surveillance and safety of commuters walking at night, in addition to visually connecting the green areas to passers-by.
“The approved plan shall now be integrated into the ongoing construction work of DMRC and shall be implemented on ground by the time the stations open to the public in 2015. Apart from other goals we will also ensure safety for all users especially women and children, through provision of high quality lighting, street-activity and networked surveillance cameras,” said an official of the UTTIPEC.