After qualifying to avail funds under the Smart City project, the territorial administration had begun identifying ways to materialise one of its key components - mass transportation.
Representatives from a Delhi-based firm having a tie-up with a Chinese-based auto major, on Tuesday held discussions with Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, Minister for Local Administration Department A. Namassivayam and senior officials onintroducing monorail in the town.
Monorail, operating on a single rail, was widely considered to be a viable mode of public transport in bigger cities.
During their presentation, the representatives listed the advantages the monorail had over other mode of transports including the tram and the metro rail.
Mr. Namassivayam told The Hindu that after the presentation, the government had asked the representatives to prepare a feasibility report. .
He said mass transport was one of the most important component in the Smart City project. However, the Central government would not provide funds for bigger schemes .
On the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Minister said the government had initiated the process and it would be constituted at the earliest, adding that the Chief Secretary and other secretaries would form part of the SPV.
As per the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs, the respective governments had to constitute a SPV for implementing the project from planning to execution. The entity, which had to be registered under the Companies Act, would plan, apprise, approve, release funds and evaluate the Smart City projects.
“We have expedited the process to constitute SPV so that works could commence at the earliest,” Mr. Namassivayam added.
