Green board shows red to Metro rail

Green board shows red to Metro rail
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: In the latest episode to the metro-monorail debate, Metrail Private Limited (MPL) has claimed that the monorail is cheaper and more environment-friendly compared to the metro project.

At a recent presentation to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), MPL seems to have convinced the board on this and the board has now even briefed the Government.

KSPCB chairman Bhoomanand Manay told this website’s newspaper that he had submitted a report to the Government suggesting that the solar-powered monorail system was more progressive than the metro. ‘‘I have observed that in Scandinavian countries, monorail has been a sound transport option. It is eco-friendly and if introduced in Bangalore it will be beneficial,’’ he said.

Manay said, ‘‘The metro is polluting because it runs on electricity and it is common knowledge that while producing electricity, there will be some form of pollution. But I have only made a recommendation about the advantages of the system to the Government.’’

Meanwhile, Bangalore Mass Rapid Transport Limited (BMRTL) officials were caught unawares on the turnaround and told this website’s newspaper that there could be no substitute to the metro when it came to mass transport.

‘‘The metro is far superior and can transport 8,000 people an hour. It is not a polluting system and we assure the public that there will be minor traffic problems during construction. But, I have received information that the Government is making a survey on the feasibility of the monorail and will get back with the findings very soon,’’ said managing director M.K. Srivastava.

MPL director Rehan Khan has declared an all out war on metro operations and is still promoting the monorail brand as the most effective service. ‘‘The tax payers of this city do not have to churn out their money for the monorail. For the metro they would be paying very dearly for a system that does not cover the city entirely. We are privately-aided and we will recover our money if allowed to operate in the city for 30 years. After which it is deemed public property.’’