In an effort to promote cycling and walking, as it helps to keep
the environment clean and green, Surat Municipal
Council (SMC) in association with US-based NGO Institute for Transportation
‘Development Policy (ITDP) will create more space and ensure safety for
the pedestrians and cyclists.

‘A few months ago, we had signed an MoU with the SMC. We have
started work on the project and have carried out a survey in areas like railway
station, Pandesara, Ring Road and Athwagate,’ said ITDP’s Ryder Pearce.

‘We are also working in Pune, Chennai and Ahmedabad on other projects. In
Surat, our focus is on safety and more space for non-motorised transport (NMT)
users,’ said Michael Ronkin, consultant and NMT specialist, who is here on
behalf of ITDP.

IDTP, through workshops, is also consulting SMC on issues including
how to reduce traffic congestion, how to make smooth flow of traffic especially
at gateways to the city like airport and railway station, pedestrian safety,
adequate parking space and easy access to para-transit system.

CB bureau