Every layout and neighbourhood scheme from now on should have provisions on the road for bus bays, according to new guidelines issued by Chennai Metropolitan Development authority (CMDA).
The decision to implement the new guidelines came in the wake of suggestions from the executive committee of Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority to CMDA to impose conditions and provided for integrating public transport with area development by providing bus bays while approving new neighbourhood schemes. Now, there were no provisions for bus bays while designing layouts. Sources said these were essential amenities to be created in any neighbourhood development to facilitate public transport. Interestingly, the CMDA order stated that the optimum walking distance for accessing a bus stop was 500 metres. The order suggested that provision of off-road bus bays might be insisted on roads with width of 12 metres and above to facilitate bus movement while designing and approving new projects. Furthermore, it called for bus bays at equal distances of 500 metres on such roads.
The development regulations of the second master plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area had laid out regulations for approval of development projects. These included creating a hierarchy of roads depending upon the road-length and degree of development in an area in addition to providing adequate linkages to existing and proposed roads listed in the master plan or detailed development plan.
M G Deivasahayam, Managing Trustee of the Chennai-based Citizens Alliance for Sustainable Living, hailed the CMDA’s move and also urged the body to implement the guidelines in other schemes.