Thursday, June 10, 2010

How many lanes will Kerala need in 2050?

The following is an excerpt from an article by G. Ram Mohan Nair, retired General Manager of Kerala SIDCO, now working as Chief Consultant at Industrial Consultancy Services, Kochi, which has appeared in the May 31-June 15 issue of Passline, a business publication from Kochi.

There is no dispute about the following:

The population is increasing day by day. Vehicle density in Kerala is 1:6 against the national average of 1:25.

Irrespective of anything the Government does, development takes place at a steady pace automatically. If the infrastructural facilities are also not developed in tune with it, chaos will result., and our life will become unbearable.

Vehicular traffic increases at an average rate of 10% in the State. At this rate traffic will become 2.6 times after 10 years, 4.2 times after 15 years and 6.7 times after 20 years.

This shows that if it is comfortable today with a four-lane traffic, after five years we will have to make it six lanes, after 10 years 10 lanes, after 15 years 17 lanes and after 20 years 29 lanes to maintain the same comfort level.

So in 2030 Kerala will need 29 lanes. How many lanes will we need in 2050? Any guesses?

6 comments:

CNR Nair said...

Fly overs will have to be constructed in such a situation, as is available in places like Hongkong at present.

keralafarmer said...

Population, vehicle density etc increasing and agricultural land reducing. What about the agricultural produces for food?

Subhash BP said...

Multi layer roads are the only solution in Kerala in spite of its cost factor.

അങ്കിള്‍ said...

I am not worried. Because, natural calamities would balance the vehicle population.

anish said...

If u think of 2050, Sole development of road will not curb this issue. Simultaneous Development of Road, Rail and waterways need to be done.

Six Lane Road is a must

Doubled railway lane for exclusively high speed trains should be developed instead of another 4-lane or 6-lane road.

Waterways connecting North, Central and South Kerala can be simultaneously developed.

appucoool said...

We should go for Advanced non polluting systems like Metro rails throughout the state using the current roadways...and reduce the reccuring road development activities...which will only erode more money from the exchequer every year...