For its Comprehensive Transportation Study to understand changing travel and transport profile and forecast future requirements, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has shortlisted seven firms.
In response to the HMDA call seeking consultancy services for the study, a total of 11 firms had expressed interest and a Technical Advisory Committee constituted for scrutiny has shortlisted the seven firms.
The firms are Rites Ltd, Louis Berger Group Inc., U.S., Scott Wilson and ICRA Management Consulting Services, Mott Mcdonald India and SREI Infrastructure Finance, Parsons Brinckerhoff India and L&T Ramboll Consulting, Wilbur Smith Associates and CRISIL Infrastructure Advisory apart from LEA Associates South Asia and LEA International.
According to the HMDA officials, these firms will be submitting their proposals for the study to be taken up with financial assistance of Ministry of Urban Development, by September 27.
The decision to have the study at a cost of around Rs.15 crore has been in the backdrop of growth of Hyderabad Metropolitan Region and the resultant transportation issues.
Among others, the rise in the number of four-wheelers on roads has changed the traffic characteristics demanding a better understanding of the present travel profile and also forecast the same for coming years, officials said.
As per statistics quoted by the HMDA, the city's transportation requirement at present is largely met by private vehicles in the form of two and four wheelers (48.5 per cent), bus transport (42 per cent) and three and seven-seater autos (8 per cent).
Travel pattern
It is also observed that recent development such as International Airport at Shamshabad, Outer Ring Road, Radial Roads, P.V. Narasimha Rao Elevated Expressway and other projects could end up ‘moulding a different travel pattern and distribution of the future population in the metropolitan area'.
The Comprehensive Transportation Study is partnered by different agencies including Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Roads and Buildings, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and the Railways.
