Unep picks Ctg as potential city

The SUIT aims to assist cities in developing countries to address the rapid growth in the transport sector through an integrated system of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) and Non-Motorised Transport (NMT).

A turn-key-ready blueprint (framework) will be developed under the project in the five 'potential pilot cities' for establishing a BRT-NMT system that would provide sustainable, reliable and affordable public transport with proven and accessible technology in urban areas.

Unep will secure funding to the tune of 4.334 million US dollar to cover the first phase of the project scheduled for 48 months, sources said.

Unep on August 1 in a fax message asked the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) to participate in the SUIT project.

It also asked the CDA to submit an official letter to its office in Paris in this regard by August 26.

Accordingly, the CDA furnished the Unep Paris office within the deadline with a report on the status of the current transport system and management, sources said.

Earlier, CDA secured no-objection and consent on its intended participation in the project from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works on August 15.

The SUIT would provide technical support for capacity building to concerned authorities and assist in information collection and synthesis for implementation of the BRT-NMT system, Unep sources said.

The blueprint for integrated BRT-NMT system includes descriptions of transport routes, infrastructure, technology and financing options, as well as a thorough public consultation process taking into account the environmental and social considerations, said the sources.

"To provide Unep with information about the on-going or planned projects aimed at improving the transport system, CDA referred to the Long Term Strategies for Traffic and Transportation of Chittagong Metropolitan Master Plan (CMMP) of 1995," said CDA Chief Engineer Shah Mohammad Akhteruddin.

"Under the integrated transport system (BRT-NMT) there would be separate corridors for motorised public vehicles and non-motorised transports like bicycles and rickshaws," he said.

BRT-NMT system would have separate arrangements for realising fairs and it would ensure a safe and comfortable journey by any public transport, he added.