News

14th July 2008: Howeve, many experts (including from Parisar) are worried that the CMP's priorities will get twisted when PMC implements it, so that its goals will not be met. Here is a report on that.

26th June 2008: An ambitious Rs. 19000 crore comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) has been tabled in the PMC that aims to improve public transport ridership and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. See a news item about it here.

11th June 2008: PMPML proposes to acquire up to 2000 new AC buses in a buses-for-ads deal as reported here. Though at first sight, the proposal appears great to inject much needed buses into the system, Parisar would like to know more details before fully backing the idea.

15th April 2008: Parisar has always maintained that flyovers are not a solution to solve the ever-worsening urban transport problem. But the speed with which the three one-way flyovers built near the Pune University has disillusioned many common citizens has surprised even us! Read this report in DNA of 15th April 2008 to read about how the flyovers hamper pedestrians, do not help commuters and why transport experts think it is a bad idea.

2nd April 2008: PMC observed its third "no-vehicle day" on Tuesday, April 1. The plan is to encourage all visitors to PMC (employees, elected corporators, journalists and others) to either use non-motorized transport or public transport to get there. Encouraged, inspired or (intimidated!) by the Municipal Commissioner cycling to office every Tuesday, a lot of the PMC staff also follow the no-vehicle day idea on every Tuesday. However, the elected representatives seem to be taking to the idea rather slowly, though they seem to be appreciative of the idea. Read more at

1st April 2008: Singapore continues its fight against the private car by proposing a new scheme to incentivize citizens to give up their cars and shift to public transport. Singapore already has strict norms about the number of new cars that can be registered and imposes high costs on purchase of a car. The proposed scheme intends to provide cash benefits to motor vehicle users who are willing to surrender their cars before their "certificates of entitlement" ends. Read more at

2nd March 2008: At long last, the PMC has tabled the draft traffic and transportation policy prepared almost two years ago, before the city improvement committee of the city for approval. The draft policy recommends strong improvement of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, immediate measures to improve the public transport service, particularly PMPML and measures such as vehicle free zones. One can only hope the policy is passed soon and adopted by the city. For more news on this, click here:

Vision:

As cities grow and become more prosperous, they are seen as engines of growth for the region. Pool of skilled labour, educational, health and recreational facilities, urban amenities, commerce, industry and network of roads to carry auto vehicles - all act as magnets to attract migration from rural areas. While this can often have a positive impact on the city's capacity, in most cases the traffic condition becomes progressively worse.

PTTF                                

Parisar, with traffic experts, other NGOs and concerned citizens has been involved in advocacy initiative under the banner of PTTF

Do see the slide show on sustainable transport on the PTTF site.