The recent CNG problem resulted in one arm of the city's transport facilities being cut off with taxis and rickshaws off the road. Here is a look at possible solutions to Mumbai's crippling crises
The recent CNG problem resulted in one arm of the city's transport facilities being cut off with taxis and rickshaws off the road. Here is a look at possible solutions to Mumbai's crippling crises
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CNG pipeline snag
The city's autorickshaws and cabs were severely hit on Monday morning, after supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was disrupted due to a pipeline damage near RCF compound at Chembur. The snag, which forced almost 1 lakh taxis and 90,000 auto rickshaws to go off the streets, paralysed the city's transport system for almost two days. The Mahanagar Gas Limited pipeline measuring 18 inches in diameter was damaged while the BMC workers were widening a nullah (drain) for a storm water drainage project. The situation was back to normal on Tuesday evening .u00a0 Cabs visible on the streets charged astronomical fares from passengers.
Solve it
V C Chittoda, Managing Director, Mahanagar Gas Limited says, "Contractors and construction workers should be careful with their work. They should strictly follow guidelines. We are planning for more utility lines in the city. We are setting up an additional gas supply line connecting Thane, Mira-Bhayandar and Wadala. This would augment the supply and during crisis there would be an alternative."
Trains
The railway motormen went on a hunger strike in May 2010, demanding higher pay and allowances. Commuters were left stranded as train services on Central and Western lines were severely affected. Traffic in the city came to a standstill. Railways approximately carries 3,500 passengers per rake and as a result of the strike, cancellation of 500 trains amounts to inconvenience to approximately 17 lakh commuters. The strike was called off, after authorities assured them their concerns would be addressed.
Solve it
Vidhyadar Malegaonkar, Chief PRO, Central Railways says, "During strike, we try and discuss the issues with the party. When train services are disrupted the maintenance staff is immediately rushed to the spot. When an overhead wire snaps on a fast track, then trains are diverted to a slow track.Commuters should listen to FM radio for updates."
Water
A 72-inch pipeline burst behind the ESIS hospital on LBS Marg in Mulund caused heavy water logging in the area and traffic jams for three hours. The incident happened in March last year. The Kamgaar quarters in the hospital premises were completely flooded, along with areas of Johnson and Johnson Company. The pipe supplied water to the surrounding areas of Mulund, as well as certain areas in Bhandup. Residents were using ropes to cross the road which were flooded. The pipeline burst caused water shortage across the city.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Solve it
Rajiv Jalota , Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) says, "During a pipeline burst, the disaster management team of the BMC is sent to the spot.u00a0 Currently, we are repairing the pipelines in the city by replacing old parts with new ones as well as increasing the capacity of the pipelines to get more water to the city."
Traffic
Traffic came to a standstill under the Lalbaug Bharatmata flyover after a part of the flyover, which was under construction, collapsed on November 2010. Traffic on the stretch was diverted.u00a0
Meanwhile, frequent accidents on the Pune-Mumbai expressway are a concern for the authorities as well as for the motorists who frequently use the route. It is an annual feature, especially during rains, to find lanes on the expressway closed due to landslides and accidents. This, in turn, results in motorists having to bear the brunt of traffic jams near the Borghat section of the expressway.
Solve it
Nandkumar Chougule, Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic)u00a0 says, "The traffic department has already studied and identified alternative routes in traffic prone areas which can be used during traffic jams. We send in 50-60 reserve police during major traffic problems. The increasing number of motorists have tou00a0 adhere to traffic rules."
Power
The city witnessed a major power outage last November due to a grid failure. The international airport had no power between 6 pm to 6:20 pm. Regular power supply to some parts of the Mumbai International Airport was disrupted due to the grid breakdown. Trains on the Western Railway came to a halt for a few minutes due to the power failure.u00a0 Instead of finding the reason behind the power failure that plunged the western suburbs from Bandra to Bhayandar in darkness, Reliance Infra (RInfra) and TATA Power Company (TPC) were busy blaming each other for the power cut.
Solve it
Ashok Pendse, Power Expert says, "Companies like RInfra and Tata should pay attention to the maintenance as well as transmission of electricity. Currently, the network for transmission is not so strong, and they should stress on strengthening it. The alternative and eco friendly solar power is not so affordable at present for the common man."
Around the world
Bullet: Japan
The Shinkansen (also known as the bullet train), is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. During the Shinkansen's 45-year, there have been no passenger fatalities due to derailments or collisions, despite frequent earthquakes and typhoons. Injuries and one fatality have been caused by doors closing on passengers or their belongings. They have anti-derailment systems in trains and in case of an earthquake a detection system in the train can bring it to a stop very quickly.u00a0u00a0u00a0
Computers:u00a0 London
Many more trains on London's underground rail system will soon be run by computer, the mayor warned strike-prone drivers' unions this year. London Mayor, Boris Johnson said, "I hope they will recognise that the patience of Londoners is not endless. They should abandon the recent pattern of pointless strikes."
Super bus: China
China could have "super buses," to tackle its impossible traffic dubbed as the Great Stall of China. On the anvil is an elevated, two-storey "super bus" that allows car traffic to drive through it.u00a0 A pilot project is supposed to take off later this year.
(Inputs by Rinkita Gurav; compiled by Sudeshna Chowdhury)
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