Latest news with #CSIR-CRRI
Time of India
16 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Why Pedestrians Can't Just Be An Afterthought
New Delhi: As India debates how to make its roads safer, experts at the National Road Safety Summit turned the spotlight on something often overlooked in city planning — people on foot. Pedestrian-centric road infrastructure and adherence to Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines, along with the critical role of road engineering, took the centre stage. A slide in the background set the tone for the discussion — it showed what an ideal road should look like: 360-degree visibility, clear lane markings, walkable footpaths, well-maintained vegetation, and smooth merging lanes. Speakers highlighted challenges such as inadequate signage, overgrown vegetation affecting visibility near crossings, and the dominance of vehicle-centric planning. "Engineering plays a crucial role in reducing fatalities, but it can only contribute up to 20% in crash prevention," said Dr S Velmurugan, chief scientist at CSIR-CRRI. "But engineering alone isn't enough. Crashes occur not only due to poor engineering but also due to a multitude of factors encompassing the other 4 Es. These include enforcement issues, lack of road user education, emergency care not available within the golden hour of the crash and poor environment. " He pointed out that India's national highways have nearly doubled, from 70,000 km to 1.44 lakh km in the last 12 years. Yet in cities like Delhi, pedestrians, cyclists, e-rickshaw and two-wheelers account for 75-80% of fatalities. "We need realistic targets and a systemic shift," he said One major concern got repeated mention — non-adherence to not having plantation for at least 120 metres at the median openings as well as at the intersections of the divided carriageways. Discussions also covered blocked or minimised zebra crossings, worn-out markings, and footpaths that are either missing or encroached upon. "Pedestrian infrastructure is routinely compromised," Velmurugan said. "We need an inclusive approach that respects every user's right to safe passage." A question brought attention to jaywalking on the Delhi-Meerut expressway, despite iron grills, questioning people's mindset and justifying the vegetation and iron grills. Dr Mukti Advani, senior principal scientist at CSIR-CRRI, said: "At many such locations, there is no pedestrian infrastructure. You can't blame behaviour when design fails." Children were flagged as especially at risk. "Over 50% of child traffic deaths happen on highways, and 36% in cities, often near intersections," said Syed Hubbe Ali, a health specialist at UNICEF India. Swantantra Kumar of 3M India added: "Safe school zones must anticipate child movement, with speed limits and signs marking entry and exit points." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre approves major projects to decongest delhi and improve traffic flow
New Delhi: The central govt has approved key projects to decongest the city, including building an elevated corridor from AIIMS to Mahipalpur Bypass, with an extension to the Gurgaon-Faridabad road and an interchange at Kalindi Kunj intersection of the Delhi-Noida road and Agra Canal road. Other works approved are the improvement of stormwater drains on NH09 from the Haryana-Delhi border to Punjabi Bagh by National Highways Authority of India at a cost of 113.9 crore and the decongestion of NH2 from Ashram to Badarpur and NH148A from Mehrauli to Delhi-Haryana border. The elevated corridor from AIIMS to Mahipalpur Bypass and extending to the Gurgaon-Faridabad road is meant as a long-term solution to traffic jams in south Delhi and parts of Gurgaon. A senior official said that NHAI had invited bids for preparing a detailed project report on an elevated corridor from INA to Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj. This would be extended to Gurgaon-Faridabad road to reduce congestion on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. The corridor is 20km in length and the cost would be around 5,000 crore. The elevated corridor would act as a parallel corridor between Delhi and Gurgaon and divert traffic on NH48 from Gurgaon to Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida, freeing up the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road, Ring Road and Outer Ring Road by providing a direct, signal-free route for through traffic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo The official said that the bids for the preparation of DPR would be received by June-end. Regarding the construction of an interchange at Kalindi Kunj, the official said that Uttar Pradesh PWD got CSIR-CRRI to conduct a feasibility study in Nov 2022, the objective being to address the traffic problems faced by motorists using Kalindi Kunj metro station and those travelling between Delhi, Noida and Faridabad. In its report, CSIR-CRRI recommended the construction of an interchange and flyovers at the Kalindi Kunj intersection to eliminate traffic conflicts. At a recent meeting, it was suggested that NHAI prepare the DPR for an interchange at Okhla Barrage, keeping in mind CSIR-CRRI's report and the urgency of immediate remedial action at the choked point. Accordingly, bids are being invited by NHAI for the feasibility and preparation of DPR to build an interchange at the Intersection between the Delhi-Noida road and Agra Canal road. The bids are expected to be opened by the end of this month. It has been decided that NHAI will maintain NH09 from the Haryana-Delhi border till Punjabi Bagh. The right of way of the stretch is 60-61 metres wide. The main carriageway of this section will be maintained by NHAI to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Officials added that improvement work on the stormwater drain is being carried out by NHAI at a cost of Rs 113.9 crore. The tentative length of the project is 18.5km. The work of preparing DPR for the work has already been given out. Officials also revealed there were plans to decongest the Ashram-Badarpur stretch of NH2. The tentative length of the section to be upgraded is 7.5km. The work of preparation of DPR for the project has been given, and other emergent work will be taken up by NHAI through empanelled agencies. An 8.5km stretch of the Mehrauli-Delhi-Haryana border section of NH148A will also be decongested. Officials said that the stretch requires major improvement works to improve passage for vehicles. To improve the aesthetic appearance of the highway, a plantation drive will also be undertaken. Any other work that arises will be taken up by NHAI through empanelled agencies.
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
3 agencies to work to curb road dust in Delhi-NCR, focus on paving, greening
In a significant step towards reducing dust pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, three key agencies will now work together under a structured framework for the redevelopment of urban Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, to jointly implement a Standard Framework aimed at curbing road dust agreement outlines a comprehensive redevelopment strategy that prioritises paving and greening of footpaths and sidewalks to address the persistent issue of dust pollution. As part of this collaboration, a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) will be set up at CAQM, with both CSIR-CRRI and SPA providing technical and institutional support. The PMC will coordinate and oversee the phased rollout of the framework across NCR states, ensuring adherence to the detailed redevelopment initial phase of implementation will focus on nine major urban and industrial centres in the NCR: Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi and Neemrana. The framework will benefit from CSIR-CRRI's expertise in road engineering, standardisation and asset management, combined with SPA's proficiency in sustainable urban planning and green redevelopment model includes specific features such as designing road cross-sections based on road type and Right of Way (ROW) width, incorporating greening measures within the ROW to suppress dust, and deploying a Web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) to ensure efficient maintenance. It also advocates the use of innovative technologies in road construction and upkeep to further control dust and SPA will guide the PMC in manpower planning and provide technical supervision throughout the redevelopment process. A dedicated dashboard is also being developed to enable real-time, data-driven monitoring and assessment of progress across project move comes shortly after CAQM enforced Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-I) in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring regions, following a deterioration in air quality. The decision was made after a meeting of the GRAP subcommittee last Saturday, which reviewed air quality trends, weather forecasts and the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi. The introduction of GRAP-I marks the beginning of stricter anti-pollution measures during the smog-prone latest redevelopment initiative is expected to complement GRAP actions by addressing one of the major contributors to Delhi-NCR's air pollution: dust from unpaved roads and poorly maintained urban surfaces.
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Air quality panel signs MoU to reduce dust pollution in Delhi, nearby areas
In a step towards reducing the dust pollution from roads in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, according to a statement. Poor road maintenance and road dust, composed of dust from unpaved roads, generate large amounts of suspended particulate matter. It is an acute problem and poses health risks if inhaled. Transforming urban roads through scientific design, sustainable greening, and modern technologies is one of the key long-term solutions for lessening dust pollution from roads and improving air quality in the region. Under the MoU, CSIR-CRRI and SPA will provide institutional support and technical guidance to the Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) being set up at CAQM. CRRI and SPA will help CAQM through guidance in setting up the PMC, suggesting suitable manpower requirements for the same, and guiding the hired resources in monitoring the development and redevelopment of roads on the Standard Framework. A dedicated dashboard will also be created to ensure data-driven tracking and monitoring of specific road projects. Taking a step in this direction to reduce the dust pollution, in the first phase, the Commission in due consultations with NCR state governments and GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), has taken up nine highly urbanized and industrialized cities of NCR—Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi and Neemrana. The tripartite MoU aims to facilitate the establishment and operationalisation of a project monitoring cell at CAQM by CSIR-CRRI and SPA. The PMC will oversee and support the phased implementation of the framework in NCR states to effectively develop roads aligned with its broad elements. The standard framework encompasses cross-section design for different types of roads and widths of right-of-way (ROW), mitigation of road dust within the right-of-way through greening measures, a web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for an effective road maintenance regime, and the adoption of new technologies in road construction and maintenance.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
CAQM signs MoU to reduce dust pollution via urban road redevelopment
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): In a major step towards combating road dust pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), on Tuesday, signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in New Delhi. According to an official release, the collaboration aims at the effective implementation of the Standard Framework for redevelopment of urban roads including paving and greening of pathways and sidewalks, towards abatement of dust pollution across Delhi-NCR. The tripartite MoU aims for facilitation by CSIR-CRRI and SPA, New Delhi for setting up a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) at CAQM and operationalization of the same. The PMC shall oversee and support the phased implementation of the framework in NCR States for effective development/ redevelopment of roads aligned with broad elements of the framework. In the first phase, the Commission in due consultations with NCR State Governments & GNCTD, has taken up nine highly urbanized / industrialized cities of NCR, namely, Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi and Neemrana, the release stated. The collaboration leverages the domain expertise of CSIR-CRRI in road standardization/ engineering, construction and asset management and that of SPA in sustainable urban planning and greening solutions along these roads. The Standard Framework encompasses--Cross Section design for different types of Roads and width of Right of Way (ROW), Mitigation of Road Dust within the Right-of-way through Greening Measures, Web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for effective road maintenance regime, and Adoption of new technologies in road construction and maintenance. As per the release, under the MoU, CSIR-CRRI and SPA would provide institutional support and technical guidance to the PMC being setup at CAQM. CRRI and SPA will support CAQM inter-alia in providing guidance in setting up the PMC, suggesting suitable manpower requirement for the same and guiding the hired resources in monitoring the development/ redevelopment of roads on the Standard Framework. A dedicated dashboard will also be created to ensure data-driven tracking and monitoring of specific road projects. Transforming urban roads through scientific design, sustainable greening, and modern technologies is one of the key long term solutions for abating dust pollution from the roads and improvement of air quality in the region. (ANI)
