Vistār: Lessons from Ahmedabad for Pune

Modern Ahmedabad and Pune are quite comparable. Both cities have witnessed massive growth in the past two decades. Ahmedabad ranks 7^thfollowed by Pune as the most populous cities in the country respectively (Source: Metropolis report, pg 16. Link: http://www.metropolis.org/publications/indian-cities-managing-urba). Both cities are characterized by the haphazard sprawl similar to other growing metros in India. The sustained industrial boom in Gujarat has seen steady growth of Ahmedabad over the past few decades. Pune is not very far behind and has seen a construction boom over the past two decades as it has morphed into a major commercial centre in Maharashtra after Mumbai.

A recent survey by Times of India ranked Ahmedabad as the most livable city in the country followed by Pune (All the cities ranked very low on the index. Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-11/india/30504461_1_cities-ahmedabad-kolkata). Thus as upcoming boom towns both are quite comparable. But this is now. A few years down the line, Gujarat’s alpha city will take over Pune for more than one reason. Two projects are changing the face of Ahmedabad. ‘Janmarg’, the Ahmedabad BRTS and Sabarmati River Front Development Project.

‘Janmarg’

Ahmedabad BRTS. Source: www.flickr.com Photo by Chris Kost

The first phase of the BRTS is already up and running and is coveted as the first successful BRT system in India. The planning and detailing from centralized digital ticketing system, buses and station design is excellent. Designed by CEPT, the work for next phases is already underway. When complete, BRTS project will connect large parts of the city with efficient public transport. An added layer of the proposed metro rail will further help enhance the connectivity within the city.

The first BRT system in India was in Pune and is now considered a failure. In fact, Pune still has the larger approved length of BRT routes (112 kms) than Ahmedabad. As per this comment from ITDP (Institute for Transportation and Development Policy), it is not even a real BRT since it does not run in a closed loop and also it lacks same level boarding. Further, Pune BRTS has failed to create a strong brand image to attract passengers. A complete mismanagement led to closure of some routes.

Today, only two routes remain in operation. Next phases are only in files. Just imagine the transformation if all these routes were in operation by now. An affordable system of mass transit would have become available for the public. Usage and ownership of two wheelers would have automatically reduced, and with it would have gone down the petroleum demand and pollution. People, especially the old and children would have had better accessibility to various parts of the city. Puneites would have spent more time and money on visiting markets, temples, public spaces rather than wearing pollution masks and being stuck in traffic. This article written by transport specialists Abhijit Lokre and Madhav Pai, talk about the success story of Ahmedabad BRTS. It also highlights the need for strong management and political will. It’s time for Puneites to demand a resuscitation of the BRTS service for the city.