With a view to improving quality of service and amenities for passengers, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to develop land parcels of approximately 80 acres around the new integrated terminal of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur.
The AAI believes that development of the city side of the airport would make the region an ‘economic hub’ with exceptional connectivity, officials informed.
The city side development of the airport envisages setting up of hotels and convention centers with an ‘Airport Commercial District’ which would also include ‘Airport Business District’, and a host of world-class passenger convenience amenities among others.
On the other hand, the Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) will design and develop an ‘integrated zone’ near the Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur.
NRDA’s Airport zone is spread over an area of 1192.56 hectares and the proposed land use will be mainly for transportation purposes, officials stated.
Notably, Naya Raipur city had been divided into six zones for which zoning plans are being prepared under Naya Raipur land Use Plan-2031.
The NRDA Planning Area consists of three layers mainly- Planning layer-I consisting of Naya Raipur city including the green belt area in 9522 hectares, the Planning layer-II consists of Peripheral Rural Zone in an area of 13,028 hectares and Planning layer-III consists of the Airport Zone spread in 1192.56 hectares.
Notably, the Naya Raipur Mass Transport ltd (NRMTl) is in the process of developing a total of three BRTS corridors covering a total of 40 kms with exclusive ‘Right of Way’ with the possibility of mixed route extension.
NRMTl established to act as a Special Purpose Vehicle to carry out the objectives of building, constructing and developing public transport system has proposed to develop the BRTS with private sector participation, officials stated.
The Corridor-I would be of 25 kms from Raipur Railway Station till Capitol Complex in Naya Raipur. The Corridor-III would be of 17.8 kms within Naya Raipur. To facilitate BRTS operations, the NRMTl would provide depots and workshops to park and service the vehicles when not in use.
The operator would maintain 30 air conditioned buses at routes designated by NRMTl. If the fleet requirement is more , 10 more buses would be provided by the operator of similar specifications.
An ‘Intelligent Tracking System’ (ITS) would be established under the proposed Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in the new administrative capital.
Under ITS, the tracing system for buses, operation and management of BRTS system would be carried out and ticketing process would also be linked. The system would be ready for use within the next nine months.
Notably, The World Bank has extended support to `179 crore BRTS project .
The buses would be fitted with CCTV cameras that can record each and every movement inside the bus. Wider passage-way for free movement, wider window panes for better visibility along with wider and lower entry/exit doors, make these new buses safe and convenient for commuters to enjoy public transportation. Housing and Environment Minister Rajesh Munat had earlier asked officials to develop an action plan for a bus Transit System even for old Raipur too.
The Raipur Bus Transit System should comprise a plan to connect the Raipur Bus Stand and Airport with Naya Raipur he had stated while chairing a meeting to review progress of work of Raipur Development Authority (RDA).
It may be recalled that the State government has also created ‘Urban Traffic Fund’ and the management of the same will be in the hands of respective PTS in the State. The money in the fund will be provided from the interest received by concerned Municipal Corporation on the funds received for development works.
Raipur city received a fund of `20 lakh, Durg-Bhilai `25 lakh, Bilaspur `20 lakh while Rajnandgaon, Korba, Raigarh, Ambikapur, Chirmiri and Jagdalpur have been allocated `15 lakh each, officials stated.
From the fund, expenses like stationary, electricity, telephone expenses etc will be met. However, the salary of the officers and employees will be paid by the concerned Municipal Corporation.