Transport in Kolkata
The urban areas in India are growing at fast rate, mostly in an unplanned manner. Transportation facilities are quite often inadequate and inefficient.
The intra-city journeys within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area are nightmares to the commuters. Kolkata desperately needs a more efficient and environment friendly transport system, which incorporates the use of renewable energy,is cost efficient and also is acceptable to population of Kolkata. Such measures would transform transportation system into a “service”, and not a hindrance.
Kolkata has form of transport system consisting of private and public transport and it has emerged as a result of intense development in the urban areas ,offering both merits and demerits to the system of development. In light of the severe air pollution, it is imperative that immediate action has to be taken in order to keep the urban transport environmentally sustainable.Metro railway work in going on in various parts of the city, with East- West metro nearing completion. Widening of various roods and setting up of efficient public transport routes is the answer. Cities that have invested heavily on public transport are now most environmentally sustainable, as measured by per ca-pita fossil fuel use. It has been calculated that New York residents save US$ 20 billion each year simply by owning fewer cars and driving less than the average American as the residents use public transport to a significant extent. Similar is the case for Kolkata, a city wide transportation system exists. It is need to be made better and more environment-friendly.
Triple Bottom Line Approach.
The TBL is an accounting framework that incorporates three dimensions of performance: social, environmental and financial. This differs from traditional reporting frameworks as it includes ecological (or environmental) and social measures that can be difficult to assign appropriate means of measurement. A large number of companies and organisations use TBL approach to evaluate their performance in a broader perspective to create greater business value.
People, the social equity bottom line.
The urban transport system to be implemented in Kolkata should be fair and beneficial for the common masses of the city who depend on it daily. Moreover for the people employed by the transportation industry ,the system should pay fair salaries to its workers, should maintain a safe work environment and tolerable working hours.
Planet, the environmental bottom line.
The system should be eco friendly , reduce pollution and should direct it efforts to sustainable environmental practices. Reducing the use of Petroleum fuels on a long run and reducing toxic output should be its goal. Use of Electric vehicles is the long term solution.
Profit, the economic bottom line.
In the final aspect, no system is viable if it not economically viable. The system should analyze it costs and expenses and profit margins. The system implemented should not be a burden on the government and proper price planning and economic strategies are important.
Road Transportation.
There is lack of a ring road or efficient intercity roads to properly connect heavy traffic flow (except the EM bypass).A large number of the buses plying in Kolkata are operated privately , this makes the regulation of buses difficult and moreover the buses are old and are not environment friendly.
Suitable improvements.
1. Construction of various arterial roads and widening the existing arterial roads is an important matter which must have immediate improvement.
2. The introduction of electric buses in Kolkata will cut down the fossil fuel costs and also improve the air quality. Moreover as electric vehicles are getting acceptance all over the world, this will stay true to the TBL approach.
3. For the charging of the Electric buses , suitable charging stations for the buses have to developed, arrangements can be made at the existing bus depots or land may be acquired for new charging stations.
4. Proper emission control policies for vehicles such as auto rickshaws and cars.
5. Solar charging stations for buses can be installed, which will further improve the cost effectiveness on the long run ,as well as is sustainable.
Suburban Railway.
It is the most efficient mode of transport for 3 million daily commuters from the suburbs.Converges at Sealdah and Howrah, the two major stations.
Problems.
1. The old tracks are overutilized causing frequent derailments.
2. Overcrowding occurs, demand is more than supply, security is low.
3. Excess pressure on Sealdah and Howrah.
Solutions.
1. Increase the number of coaches on each train.
2. Increase the number of tracks.
3. Create a new station in the far south (Garia, for example) which is as important as Sealdah/ Howrah.
Metro Railway.
1. Fixed tracks, no traffic congestion.
2. Fixed routes, thus creating a secondary efficient dependent transport system of cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws.
3. Fastest way of connecting the north–south corridor in the city.
Flaws-
1. Frequent lapse of security causing deaths.
2. Current supply is far less than the demand, thus causing rush hour crowd.
Solutions.
1. Replacing the old rakes with new and more efficient rakes.
2. Increasing the frequency of trains.
3. Speed up the ticketing system by increasing the number of counters and increased security at stations.
4. Construction of new underground lines is a necessary as it doesn’t include the need to acquire land and other unnecessary hassle.
5. Increase the speed of the existing construction work along the predefined routes.
The transportation system of Kolkata is quite extensive , but it has a lot of flaws as well. This system can be improved using the triple bottom line approach , and using new methodology. Obsolete machinery need to be replaced and sustainable technologies must be used. The TBL framework enables organizations to take a longer-term perspective and thus evaluate the future consequences of decisions.
