For a city that has a population density of 10,052 per sq. km (according to the 2011 census) and growing industrial activity, it is essential to plan its transport infrastructure not only for the present needs but also for the future.
Mahesh Tandon of the Tandon Consultants spoke about Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) at a meeting held in Coimbatore recently by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, and the local centre of the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India).
Urban areas According to Mr. Tandon, MRTS is required in cities and towns and also in urban areas that have a maximum density of population. These operate on an exclusive right-of-way.
Some of the factors that need to be taken into account while identifying the project are: capacity (persons travelled by it per hour per direction), occupation at ground level and existing development as against new development.
Apart from the options of BRT (Bus Rapid Transit System), Metro Rail, Mono Rail, Light Rail, etc, any city should also think of cycling as a mode of transport as in European cities. “The best way to plan a city is to have a multi-mode of transport system,” he said.
Cities such as New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Jaipur have opted for a rapid transit system. Jaipur is going in for two-level Metro project.
The approximate cost (excluding land cost) for a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit system) is Rs. 10 crore per kilometre. For a monorail it is about Rs. 125 crore, for a light rail it is Rs. 120 crore to Rs. 135 crore and for a metro rail it is Rrs. 150 crore. The capacity (persons travelled per hour per direction) is less for a monorail and high for a metro rail.
In most of the cities, the model for funding is 20 per cent by the State Government, 20 per cent by the Centre and the remaining come as long-term loan at low interest rate.
Before going in for a project, there should be a detailed study of the traffic pattern.
The stakeholders should also look at options not only in the mode of transport but also in the way the project is constructed, and how more people can benefit from it. For instance, a project for Coimbatore can be connecting the city with Tirupur.
It is the right time to start a MRTS project in Coimbatore.
Delaying it further would be an “unnecessary burden” on the public and it would make the project difficult when it is implemented later, he said.
