The developing world is leapfrogging developed countries when it comes to urban transport, with the city of Ahmedabad, India, today announced as winner of the 2010 Sustainable Transport Award for the successful implementation of Janmarg, India’s first full bus rapid transit (BRT) system.

“This year’s Sustainable Transport Award nominees demonstrate the relevance of the developing world in the fight against climate change while improving citizen’s quality of life and enhancing their international competitiveness,” said Walter Hook, Executive Director of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. “Cities have the power to significantly reduce carbon emissions by actively seeking ways to improve transport.”

The Sustainable Transport Award is given annually to a city that uses transport innovations to increase mobility for all residents, while reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions and increasing cyclist and pedestrian safety and access.

Ahmedabad’s Janmarg BRT system is a sustainable model for the future of transportation in India, where a quarter of the world’s population lives. “BRT systems can positively impact air quality if car and motorbike drivers start taking trips by bus,” said Sophie Punte, Executive Director of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-ASIA). “This is particularly important in Asian cities, where air pollution levels are often far above guidelines of the World Health Organization.”

The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is now getting a corporate touch. Authorities of the Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL), have decided to provide smart uniforms of various hues to the BRTS staff.

This decision was taken in the first meeting of AJL, the governing body for BRTS, which also cleared other proposals for smooth operation of the service in the city.Inspiration for the designs has been taken from the official logo of BRTS, designed by National Institute of Design.

On the brand visibility of BRTS, Municipal commissioner, IP Gautam, says, “AJL staff, including drivers, conductors and workshop staffers will be having a distinct designer uniform for them.”

“We are hopeful that BRTS buses will start plying by the end of July as work for the first phase is near its completion,” adds Gautam.

On the branding aspect, city-based designer, Amit Kumar says, “A uniform or common dress code provides a sense of team spirit. Today, branding has come to the forefront in private and public initiatives.

It is a wise decision as it could lead to the success of a brand and acceptability of the initiative.

The women employee of BRTS will be in salwar and kurta, while men employees will don shirts and trousers with multipurpose pockets with a logo in front and back side of the uniform.

For years, apnu Amdavad has shown how big its heart is, as it remained on top in the country, clocking the highest blood donor to

population ratio. Now, this philanthropic heart has a mascot — Sherdil — that will help carry forward the city’s spirit of giving.

On June 14, World Blood Donors’ Day, Sherdil will be unveiled in a bid to exhort people to donate more blood.

Statistics show Ahmedabad has the highest blood donor to population ratio (BDPR) in India, at 3.5 per cent. Globally, this ratio comes behind averages of only four countries — US, Switzerland, Japan and Germany. “The lion not only symbolises Gujarati pride but also Amdavadi philanthropy. When we talk of a generous person, we call him lion-hearted. From this thought emerged Sherdil. And, he comes with an appeal: Yeh Sherdil maange more,” says Mukesh Patel, president of Ahmedabad Red Cross Society and a centurion blood donor himself.

It is only in Ahmedabad that events like weddings and birthdays and even death anniversaries are often marked by blood donation.

The city has a centurion blood donors’ club, a women’s blood donors’ club and one by physically disabled.

With 1.58 lakh donors annually, the city sees one donation every three minutes. It also has a record number of 58 centurion blood donors.

But, it’s not just about statistics. For Meera Naik, 25, a thallasaemia major patient, who needs one bottle of blood every fortnight since she was just three, it has meant a steady supply through the Red Cross. “I owe my life to the generosity of the city,” says Meera.

Nagendra Purohit, father of Maitreyi, 18, another thallasaemia victim, who needs three bottles of blood a month, says, “I have never had a problem getting blood for my daughter whenever she needed it.”

Modi’s choice:Flyover in Ahmedabad to be named after Sam Manekshaw

Ahmedabad’s newest ready to drive Shivranjani cross roads flyover in Satellite area will be named after Parsi Gujarati Bangladesh war hero the late Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw, in recognition of his contribution to the nation.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi appealed Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for Manekshaw’s name in his public speech at Groundbreaking ceremony of three highway crossover bridges which are to be built at Isanpur, Jashodanagar and CTM cross junctions under BRTS project. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation responded positive to this appeal. AMC will Soon officially finalize this name.

Satellite area’s Shivaranjani cross roads over bridge which would be named as ‘Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw flyover’ is complete and ready for ride.

Though it is yet not officially inaugurated, commuters have already started using it. New flyover is situated over the cross junction of satellite road and 132 feet ring road. It is a part of Bus Rapid Transit System(BRTS) project. Construction work of this 16.06 cr Rs. flyover had started in December 2006.

Two more flyover are also being built on the 132 ft road under BRTS project. 52.14 cr Rs. Split Flyover on the cross junction of Drive-In road and 132 ft ring road is scheduled to open in next September while 17.35 cr Rs. flyover at Naranpura AEC-132 ft cross junction may complete in December this year.

132 ft ring road from North to South:Vishala hotel toll office-Jivraj park cross road-Jivraj over bridge-Shyamal cross road-New flyover on satellite road cross junction-IIM(Ahmedabad)-Blind mens association-helmet cross road near Manav Mandir where construction of new fly over is in progress-Naranpura AEC cross junction where another fly over is under construction-Akhbarnagar-RTO under bridge-Sabarmati AEC Torrent Power over bridge.

Satellite road from East to West:Nehrunagar circle-Zansi Rani Lakshmibai statue-New flyover on Shivranjani cross junction-Jodhpur cross roads-Star Bazaar-Sundarvan-Isro-Fun Republic-Iskcon circle at S.G.Highway.