Indian cities are among the world’s fastest developing cities in terms of population, economy and infrastructure. Mobility is a crucial aspect for the economic growth of any urban area. Economic activities such as trade, commerce and industries flourish in areas where accessibility is good and mobility fast and unruffled. Urban transport infrastructure facilities and services are thus amongst the most important factors of the urban economy. Urban development takes place around such activity generators.
Substantial contribution to an area’s efficiency is possible only when the people and materials are transported at the minimal investment and operating cost. Thus an able, adequate and efficient transport system permits cities and towns to become catalysts for economic, social and industrial development. Public transport system should be an efficient user of space and energy with a reduced level of air and noise pollution. As the population of the city grows, the share of public transport, road or rail-based, has to increase and become efficient and prompt. Whether the public transport system in the State should be road-based or rail-based will depend primarily on the traffic density during the peak hours.
Experience has shown that in mixed traffic conditions, comprising slow and fast-moving traffic prevails in most of our cities. When traffic density on a corridor exceeds 10,000 phpdt, the average speed of buses comes down, journey time increases, air pollution goes up, and commuters are put to increased levels of inconvenience. Thus, when on a corridor, traffic density during peak hours crosses sustainable levels mass transport becomes inescapable.
Goa never had an efficient public transport system. The private operators always held their sway, overloading, irregular schedules and substandard buses have always remained part of Goa’s Public transport .Cartoons have often depicted this state of affairs. During the 70s and the 80s the public computing on a regular basis was comparatively small. There was no mass movement of people on a daily basis mainly as part of their employment. Things have changed now the movement of people for employment or business between, Mapusa and Panjim in the north to the southern region of Margao, and Vasco have increased by leaps and bounds. Almost daily billions of man-hours are lost with people ‘stuck in traffic’. Now a days of the 14 lakhs resident population nearly 30 % are computing on a daily basis as part of their employment or business ,to this is the added the hordes of of tourist. The Public transport system is wholly ill-equipped to provide any form of prompt transport to these daily computers. Half hearted and inefficient efforts by Kadamba transport system to a greater extend has eased the misery but with the rapid growth of daily commuting population Goa needs to think of viable and efficient alternatives, which the politicians seems to be either not aware or are wholly ill-equipped to think of the future needs of the State.
Goa is in urgent need of a mass rapid transport system. Cities like Delhi, Calcutta and Chennai and nearly ten others have been able to cope up with addition human movement. Cities and towns with over five lakh population have organized a somewhat respectable city bus service. Some of these cities have initiated Bus rapid transit system (BRTS).
The second crucial factor is that the vehicle population in Goa has been rising hugely every year, as a result of which there are two vehicles for every three persons in the state today. If this growth rate continues then in next few years the state may witness a ‘vehicle population explosion’ in which there will be one vehicle for every Goan. According to figures available with the transport department, the vehicle population has increased by 83 per cent for the last eight years. Although the number of vehicles keeps on increasing the infrastructure has failed to keep pace with this growth. That’s the exact reason why Goa is witnessing frequent traffic congestion. This uncontrolled increase in the number of vehicles in the context of only a marginal increase in road length has brought to the fore serious debate regarding road safety in the state.
Goa being a tourist attraction needs to think of a mass rapid transport system which should become a tourist attraction in Goa. A rapid mass transport system that would be efficient, prompt and reliable, which would preserve and exhibit the scenic beauty of Goa should be thought of.
May be a ropeway system which will ride over the mountains, rivers and the green fields without using much of land space will be an added tourist attractions. A metro rail system which does not follow the existing road route may be another viable option. Goa is also blessed with suitable waterways , the two rivers, with the adjoin bay and the sea could provide an excellent rapid mass transport system connecting the cities of Panjim, Vasco and Margao which will be unique in the world. Even a multi modal Mass transport system would be a viable option.
All these calls for genuine concern for the welfare of the State and its people, long sighted planning and a mindset which should go beyond personal enrichment and overriding concern of political survival. Goa unfortunately seems to have presently no political figure who could be attributed with any of these qualities of true statesmanship. Hopefully with new and new political outfits surfacing in Goa the next elections might throw up some personalities in the political arena who can think, beyond their personal/party interests.
(The writer is a Professor of Law and former Dean, faculty of Law, Goa University.)
