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Gangtok seeks modern solutions to mounting traffic woes
Gangtok, Dec 2 (IANS) Sikkim’s capital city — otherwise known for being plastic- and litter-free with disciplined traffic, where lane-driving is the cultural norm — is facing huge traffic congestion, just like other metropolitan cities.
The only road connectivity to Gangtok is NH10, which forms the artery of the road network in the city. The major problems are traffic congestion, lack of parking space, lack of public transport and inadequate footpaths which cause vehicle and public conflicts.
This is especially critical for Gangtok, which, as a mountain city, has inherent constraints of space. The city is now considering alternative, non-road modes of transport like cable cars to ease public mobility.
The Sikkim government’s Urban Development & Housing Department (UD&HD) conducted a consultation and workshop last week on finding short-term and long-term solutions to the traffic problems in Gangtok, a city of almost 180,000 people.
It is crucial that a workable alternative is found and implemented as soon as possible before the city is choked up completely, experts opined.
Various stakeholders, including representatives from UD&HD, Law and Order, 17 Mountain Division, Feedback Infra, National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC), Mercerdez Benz and the Truck Drivers’ Association, besides state government officials, were present at the workshop.
A Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Gangtok was presented by Feedback Infra based on a study made on the city’s terrain and traffic movement. It provided possible solutions of decongestion through cable cars and creation of ring roads that help movement on Gangtok’s inner and outer ring roads.
Parallels were drawn with other cities around the world with similar problems like Suwon in South Korea, Bandung in Indonesia and Medellin in Colombia, whose topography resembles Gangtok in many ways, and suggested the measures they have taken — like skywalks, eco-mobility festivals and the like “to instil a sense of ownership to the public utilising these public commute services”.
UMTC provided a detailed presentation on Techno-Economic Feasibility of Cable Car as Public Transport. A study based on the travel characteristics of Gangtok, while keeping in mind safety measures, said that locations have been identified as stations and a model drawn for cable cars to be implemented as a mainstream public transport. They also cited various examples of cities from all across the globe that use cable cars as their mode of transport and concluded that it would work if integrated in with other modes of public transport.
Sikkim Urban Development Minister N.K. Subba, in his address, said: “More interactions and awareness programmes, like this one, on traffic decongestion and urbanisation is the need of the hour. We are at the start of something historic.”
He also talked about future projects that the government of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is planning to undertake to tackle the traffic menace, like widening of various roads at busy junctions and construction of sidewalks for efficient pedestrian movement.
Lok Sabha MP P.D. Rai warned that “it is absolutely crucial for our sensitive ecology that all stakeholders and entrepreneurs take into account the sustainable development goals while working out effective strategies to tackle this common problem. We all, as a society, need to work collectively and responsibly”.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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