The major Indian cities are developing their transport systems in the face of congestion and pollution. Chennai has commissioned a mass transit system.
The CMDA is responsible for plans for the spatial development of the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
The first phase of the MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) opened in 1997.
Bangalore has a similar system under development, delayed by arguments over the relative costs and merits of subway and overhead construction.
Hong Kong, Taipei and London have all opted for a mix of subway, elevated and light rail.
Contested Space:
The viaduct provides an opportunity for informal development and encroachment.
Images of the track level are available at http://www.oocities.org/mumbairail/chennai.html
Reports suggest that lower service frequency and 50 per cent higher fares means a drift back to competing buses at street level .
The MRTS extension to Velachery, scheduled to open in late 2003 will serve the MGR Knowledge Park.
This has been established adjacent to the MGR Film City, centre of the Tamil film industry, by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO).
TIDCO aims to attract research facilities in bio-technology and information and communication technology, but there is already a strong presence of back-office functions in the area.
The waiting game:
Chennai buses stops provide essential shade and advertising space.
They are also the subject of state-of- the-art intervention - a GPS based project to optimise bus stop location for Chennai is in place.
Invitation to substitute?
India has an extensive mobile telecommunications infrastructure.Mobile phone advertising on a bus shelter, as seen elsewhere, but will it bring substitution for movement or stimulus to further transport consumption?