HYDERABAD: The Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) which met under the chairmanship of chief secretary, Pankaj Dwivedi has decided to utilise the available vacant spaces belonging to various government departments in Greater Hyderabad limits for the construction of mechanised multi storeyed parking complexes.
There is a shortage of parking facilities for parking vehicles in the city and most of the motorists are parking their vehicles on the roadsides and footpaths, resulting in traffic jams and problems to the pedestrians walking on the footpaths.
Speaking to reporters, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), incharge metropolitan commissioner, M T Krishna Babu said that some open spaces belonging to government departments have been identified --- such as APHB in Kukatpally, HMDA in Ameerpet and Saroonagar, and vacant spots near Gandhi Bhavan and Charminar. More such vacancies will be identified for construction of mechanised multi-storeyed parking complexes. These structures will be built through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, he added.
For seamless and cashless travel in Greater Hyderabad, UMTA suggested Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation to come out with rechargeable cards that would help in hassle-free travel for the commuters.
It was also decided to have periodical night patrolling by the police on the 11.5 kms PVNR Elevated Expressway for keeping vigil.
A suggestion was also made for creating an Urban Transport Fund (UTF) by allocating 10 per cent of road tax, reinvesting all the penalties collected by the Traffic Police of Hyderabad and Cyberabad and also by diverting 0.25 per cent of the development charges collected from Urban Local Bodies to the fund.
These funds will be utilised for improving traffic management, taking pilot traffic projects, devising and implementing plans for easing traffic congestion and other aspects.
A scheme for capacity building in Urban Transport was agreed by UMTA; it was decided to forward proposals for getting funds from the central government.
The UMTA also agreed for proposals for a project with an outlay of Rs 66 crore for improving the traffic signal system at 221 junctions, with modern equipment, traffic visualisation and arranging surveillance cameras etc under Hyderabad Traffic Integrated Management System (HTRIMS).
Krishna Babu said that UMTA would request capital for taking up the project, which consists of designs, supply, networking, installation, commissioning and maintenance of traffic signals in the GHMC area for a period of five years.
He also informed that the South Central Railway (SCR) has completed the parallel bridge at Lakadi-ka-pul, which will be thrown open to public soon, once few other properties are acquired. The money has been deposited in the court for the same.
It was also agreed to take up the proposed three new flyovers at Tolichowki, Narsapur-Balanagar X Road and Amberpet X Road. The cost of the project will be shared by Roads and Buildings department and GHMC.
The committee has also agreed for inclusion of 35 mandals in Draft Master Development Plan-2031 for future development activities as Multiple Use Zone.
They discussed in detail the issues relating to Intelligent Transportation System for Hyderabad City area and suggested exploring possibilities of JICA funding the total Master Plan project, duly considering the ongoing projects of GHMC and APSRTC for total Hyderabad Metropolitan Area.
Senior officials from MAUD, Commissioner of Police Hyderabad, Cyberabad; APSRTC; Transport; APPCB; Railways; Hyderabad Metro Rail and other departments were in attendance at the meeting.