Thaindian News

Washington, Jan 15 (IANS) The historic Indian city of Ahmedabad has won the prestigious ‘Sustainable Transport Award 2010′ for the successful implementation of Janmarg, India’s first full bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
The largest city in Gujarat, with a present day population of about 5.2 million was founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate.

Ahmedabad’s Janmarg BRT system is a sustainable model for the future of transportation in India, where a quarter of the world’s population lives, said the announcement by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).

The award was handed over to the Ahmedabad city officials, in the presence of Indian Urban Development Secretary M. Ramachandran at a function on the sidelines of the 89th annual meeting of the Transportation Research Bureau held here Tuesday.

“Cities have the power to significantly reduce carbon emissions by actively seeking ways to improve transport,” said Walter Hook, executive director of ITDP.

“BRT systems can positively impact air quality if car and motorbike drivers start taking trips by bus,” said Sophie Punte, executive director of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-ASIA).

“This is particularly important in Asian cities, where air pollution levels are often far above guidelines of the World Health Organization.”

In Ahmedabad, city residents have embraced their new BRT system; 18,000 daily passengers use Janmarg to commute to work, to school and elsewhere. In just a few months of operation, Janmarg has transformed the delivery of transit in South Asia.

Janmarg uses innovative central median stations pulled away from the junctions. Bus stations feature passive solar design, an inexpensive way to keep stations naturally cool.

The city is making continued efforts to be a leader in sustainable transport, including incorporating high-quality pedestrian facilities in some corridors, as well as bicycle lanes. Ahmedabad has initiated car-free days.

The Sustainable Transport Award is given annually to a city that uses transport innovations to increase mobility for all residents, while reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions and increasing cyclist and pedestrian safety and access.

The past winners of the award include New York (2009); Paris (2008); London (2008), Guayquil, Ecuador (2007); Seoul (2006) and Bogota (2005).