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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran, Host of OoruLabs talks to Venkata Chunduru, Director at Arcadis IBI who provides traffic management solutions among other things.

The avoidable cost of traffic congestion in major Indian cities is 1.44 lakh crore, which is 50% more than the government's budget for education infrastructure. Solving traffic congestion is a challenging problem due to the nature of governance in cities. However, it is solvable by enabling people to navigate through traffic without curbing their freedom. The challenges in vehicular traffic movement include unprecedented vehicle ownership, the way vehicles are used, infrastructure challenges, policy considerations, and enforcement. Multi-agency collaboration and public-private partnerships can help address these challenges. Technology can play a crucial role in solving traffic problems, but it should be seen as a means to an end and not an end in itself. The government needs to change its procurement methodology and involve consultants who are accountable for outcomes. People, process, system, infrastructure, and policy should be aligned to achieve the desired outcomes.

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Keywords

traffic congestion, governance, vehicle ownership, infrastructure, policy, enforcement, multi-agency collaboration, public-private partnerships, technology, procurement, outcomes

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Takeaways

The avoidable cost of traffic congestion in major Indian cities is significant and can be reduced through effective solutions.

Solving traffic congestion requires a holistic approach that addresses governance, vehicle ownership, infrastructure, policy, and enforcement.

Multi-agency collaboration and public-private partnerships are essential for addressing the challenges of traffic congestion.

Technology can play a crucial role in solving traffic problems, but it should be seen as a means to an end and not an end in itself.

The government needs to change its procurement methodology and involve consultants who are accountable for outcomes.

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Sound Bites

"1.44 lakh crore that is the avoidable cost of traffic congestion in just four major Indian cities"

"I don't think it is not solvable. See, the important point I always emphasize is that we need to actually look at how to enable people to navigate through these things without curbing their freedom."

"There are five core challenges in vehicular traffic movement: unprecedented vehicle ownership, the way vehicles are used, infrastructure challenges, policy considerations, and enforcement."

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Cost of Traffic Congestion

02:19 The Solvability of Traffic Problems

07:41 Challenges in Vehicular Traffic Movement

16:22 The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships

23:20 Technology as a Means to an End

28:06 Changing Procurement Methodology for Better Outcomes

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Stock video and picture credits to various contributors. All rights belong to respective owners.

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