Since November 2007, EMBARQ India with the aid of the CAI-Asia Center has been developing partnerships to promote sustainable urban transport in India; providing technical assistance to the Indian MoUD and adapting the BRT framing tool to the Indian context as part of the Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia Program.
In February 2008, EMBARQ India signed a MOU with the Indore City Transport Service Limited to provide technical assistance for the preparation and successful implementation of the 12 kilometer BRTS corridor on AB Road, currently under development in Indore. EMBARQ India aims to bring to the local planning and implementation team the best of international experience and expertise to ensure the highest quality standards.
Indore BRT Technical Support:
- Operational plan with a detailed assessment of transport demand potentials and the supply requirements.
- Financial requirements of the system;
- Definition of other BRT components;
- the above information will be used in the preparation of a detailed implementation plan and;
- preparation of request for proposal documents for engagement - for bus providers and operations.
Several cities in India are building or planning Bus Rapid Transit Systems as a strategic component of sustainable mobility development, but initial efforts were only partial attempts as seen in Delhi and Pune, that set back thinking on the attractiveness of BRTS. Indore stands apart and above, by being a leader among the 12 Indian cities currently developing BRTS under auspices of the MOUD. However, their project still faces considerable technical and political challenges and EMBARQ India through its technical support and by efforts to change public perception of BRTS; EMBARQ India aspires to keep the momentum going on the work started by ICTSL.
Indore: Successful Bid
The Indian Ministry of Urban Development announced a one-time-assistance under the JnNURM’s urban infrastructure and transport stimulus package for the purchase of buses for urban transport for all 63 mission cities in India. EMBARQ India played an important role in advising the city of Indore and its partner, ICTSL in preparing a Detailed Public Report (DPR) for he same – within a span of 48 hours. Indore was able to successfully secure funding for 170 new buses estimated at a total value of INR 70 Crores (US$ 14 million).
With the infusion of 170 new buses including, 20 low floor low entry air-conditioned buses, 30 low floor low entry regular buses and 120 semi low floor buses there is a potential to double the current ridership. As of April 2008, the ICTSL operated system carried 100,000 to 110,000 passengers per day. Further, the sanction also creates the opportunity to move the entire fleet of buses to CNG.
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Indian MoUD Annoucement