When it comes to maintenance of services, especially underground utilities, India has a lot to learn from other countries. In Singapore and Tokyo, all services like water, electricity cables, telephone cables, sewers etc are neatly placed in utility tunnels. As a result, repairs are done and new services introduced without inconveniencing the public.
Experts say ducts or utility corridors, like the one built in Connaught Place, are an answer to the city's problem. Although the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) was criticized for the mess in Connaught Place due to the redevelopment project, officials say the utility tunnel, once operational, will end the practice of cutting open roads to carry out repairs. "It is an ambitious project. But now, NDMC will not have to dig roads to repair services. It is a huge tunnel and can accommodate a large number of services. For repair work, the staff can just walk into the tunnel,'' said an Engineers India Limited official who is working on the project.
The Delhi government had planned a similar project between Mayapuri and Brar Square in 2010. EIL had made several presentations before the Delhi government. But the project never saw the light of day.
At a time when crores are spent on the repair and restoration of roads, experts say the government should invest in improving infrastructure. "There are several limitations in Delhi as there are various types of settlements—organic, new, old, unauthorized colonies, villages etc. But in planned areas construction of utility ducts will solve the problem,'' said Neerja Tikku, professor, School of Planning and Architecture.
In Delhi, the civic agencies' experiment with ducting in congested areas like Daryaganj and Karol Bagh has been successful. During Commonwealth Games, ducting was done on arterial roads in Karol Bagh. The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has plans to take utility services underground in areas like Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.
So, why aren't ducts being built in planned areas? "It is successful but the cost is too much. For the provision of ducts, the cost goes up by Rs 3,000 per sq metre (approximately). The corporation doesn't have funds," said a chief engineer with North corporation. But officials admit that this one-time investment will save crores on road restoration.
"The companies pay road restoration charges to the corporation before starting work. The amount is for the dug-up portion. But when a road, especially mastic road, is cut the damage can't be repaired completely. The surface remains uneven. As the budget is less, contractors don't want to take up these projects,'' said an official with South corporation.
Experts say there are lessons to be learnt from developed countries like Canada and Australia. "In these countries, all utilities are taken underground through ducts and tunnels before a road is constructed. And even if there is a problem, they use the trench-less technique in which pits are dug at regular intervals and work is carried out underground," said a senior engineer with the Public Works Department.
Mapping of underground services will also help the civic agencies in minimizing the damage to roads. "At present, we have no idea about the number of services which are underground and their level. Ducting is a solution, at least in plotted areas. It will help in mapping the services. In case there is a fault it can be repaired quickly,'' said Pradeep Sachdeva, architect and urban planner, who is working on the Jama Masjid redevelopment project.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Dig this: Modern cities go easy on spadework
Dengan url
http://sehatputihgigiku.blogspot.com/2013/04/dig-this-modern-cities-go-easy-on.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Dig this: Modern cities go easy on spadework
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Dig this: Modern cities go easy on spadework
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar