Natl Seminar on Transit Oriented Development for Transforming Urban Transportation
National Seminar on Transit Oriented Development for Transforming Urban Transportation was organized by D K District Administration and Dakshina Kannada Nirmithi Kendra (DKNK) on Tuesday, 29 January at Hotel Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for Transforming Urban Transportation seeks to maximize access to mass transit and non motorized transportation with centrally located rail or bus stations surrounded by relatively high-density commercial and residential development. TOD has gained currency in India as a means of promoting smart cities with smart growth, injecting vitality into declining inner-city settings and expanding lifestyle choices. TOD’s focus on locating new construction and redevelopment in and around a populated area to ease out the normal movement of the city residents.
All in all TOD is the exciting fast growing trend in India creating vibrant, livable, sustainable communities. It is the creation of compact, walkable, pedestrian – oriented, mixed-use communities centered around high-quality transport systems. This makes it possible to live a lower-stress life without complete dependence on vehicular movement for mobility and survival. In regard to this a National Seminar on Transit Oriented Development for Transforming Urban Transportation was organized by D K District Administration and Dakshina Kannada Nirmithi Kendra (DKNK) on Tuesday, 29 January at Hotel Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru, where engineers, entrepreneurs, professionals and many others in different fields attended the a day-long seminar.
In the absence of DC Sasikanth Senthil and Dr Selvamani R – CEO of DK Zilla Panchayath, who were suppose to inaugurate the seminar, but had to rush to Dharmasthala on a urgent assignment, Professor Er G R Rai-former Director of MIT did the honours in inaugurating the seminar, along with MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer; MUDA Commissioner Srikanth Rao; Association of Consulting Civil engineers (I)-Mangaluru Chapter President Er Anil S D’Souza; and Er Rajendra Kalbavi-Project Director of DK Nirmithi Kendra. Prior to the inauguration, Er Rajendra Kalbavi welcomed the audience and briefed about the seminar.
Addressing the audience, Prof G R Rai said, “This is indeed a unique seminar organized in order to upgrade the infrastructure, Roads and other facilities that Smart City-Mangaluru needs very badly. Decades ago people had the tough time to travel from one place to another, but times have changed due to immense development, where travel has become easy. Seminars like this one helps in implementing the necessary requirements for the development of a city. Passing resolution is not enough, we need to implement the resolutions, for successful development of Smart City Mangaluru. With dedication, commitment and determination, it is possible to make an extreme change to this growing city”.
The seminar was supported by various other organizations like- Dept of Civil Engineering, NITK-Surathkal; ACCE(I)-Mangaluru; Indian Institute of Architects Mangaluru-Manipal Centre; CREDAI-Mangaluru; Institute of Engineers (I) Mangaluru; Institute of Valuers (I) Mangaluru; Kanara Builders Association, Mangaluru; Kodagu, Udupi, DK Engineers’ Association; DK Contractors Association; and MCC Contractors Association. The Vote of thanks was proposed by Er Anil S D’souza, while the proceedings were compered by Er Vijaya Vishnu Mayya- National VP of ACCE (I).
During the seminar eminent speaker Ar Sushil Verma- Executive Director, Transit Design, New Delhi spoke on “International and Indian Experience in Transit Oriented Development”; P Ravishankar -Vice President and Head TOD Projects Control and Contracts, L & T Metro Rail-Hyderabad spoke on “Transit Oriented Development -A Key to Sustainable Urbanization”; NP Sharma-Chief General Manager and Principal, Bangalore Metro Rail Corp Ltd Training Institute on “TOD Experience and Issues”; and Shree Kumar-Managing Associate, World Resources Institute, Mumbai on “TOD for Indian Cities”. Er Dharmaraj-Chief Consultant IDF Mangaluru was the moderator during the panel discussion on TOD in Mangaluru, assisted by Nelson G A Pais of 2PKM Architects, Mangaluru and D B Mehta-CREDAI President, Mangaluru.
About Dakshina Kannada Nirmithi Kendra:
Established in 1991, DK Nirmithi Kendra is a premier organization in the district promoting modern technologies and techniques in construction industry. This is done through various means of knowledge sharing methods like Seminars, Workshops, Lectures, Demonstrations, hands-On Training etc. The Centre works under the chairmanship of DC of the District and CEO of DK Zilla Panchayat. Nirmithi Kendra works closely under the technical guidance of Civil Engineering Dept of NITK-Surathkal. The centre caters to the needs of residential buildings and other related constructional activities required by the individual house owners.
The Kendra also acts as nodal agency in guiding and executing various inspiring projects of the Govt. The Kendra is a self-sustaining organization and works under the tag line of “Technologies from Lab to Land”. The Kendar has won National Award from HUDCO for its overall performance and from ACCE(I) -Ultratech Cements for promoting Eco-Friendly technologies.