In an effort to improve urban mobility and transport conditions in Rajkot and make it more livable and sustainable city, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an international organization Institute for transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).

On MoU signing, Rajkot municipal commissioner, Dinesh Brahmbhatt, said, “We are committed to develop people friendly, safer and international quality road infrastructure and facilities in Rajkot city, especially for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable
road users. ITDP will provide us technical assistance to achieve our objective,”

ITDP is an international not-for-profit non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of environmentally sustainable and equitable transportation and urban policies and programs.

The ITDP will assist RMC in exploring the possibility, planning and implementation of various urban transportation programs and projects for Rajkot city which are on one hand very efficient, economical, safe, and world-class and on other hand should be environment-friendly, sustainable, socially equitable, and inclusive.

Present on the occasion, senior programme director, ITDP India, Ms Shreya Gadepalli said, “ITDP effort is to help and support RMC for a world class pedestrian and cyclist friendly road designs. We will be providing technical assistance and advisory support to RMC in the field public transportation, non-motorized transport, traffic demand management and training and capacity building officials”

Rajkot, being one of the fastest growing cities in the world, still has about 55 percent of population who use public transport, walk or cycle to their destination. City Programme Manager, ITDP India, Anuj Malhotra said, “Though there is a lot of push towards building and improving streets, the non-motorized transit requires planning and design attention. Good quality walkways, cycle tracks, shaded
streets, vibrant streets and good public transit are some of the key areas where ITDP shall provide technical advice to the city.”

The MoU has been signed for a period of two year aimed at getting technical assistance from the ITDP in improving city’s overall environment, mobility, and public space.

Modal share of traffic in Rajkot city (In per cent)
Walk – 28
Cycle – 21
Bus-0.5
Auto Rickshaw-5.5
2-wheeler -32
Car- 13
Source: CMP, RMC