'Mono and metro on same track to progress'

'Mono and metro on same track to progress'
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Even though the issue of Metro Vs Monorail is still burning, a panel discussion of experts has felt that both were complimentary to each other and Bangalore commuters needed a multi-model.

The panel discussion was held recently by Geodesic Techniques Pvt Ltd, a Civil engineering company. The panellists included Prof M N Sreehari of M S Ramiah Institute of Technology, Srinidhi Anantharaman from MD Geodesic Techniques and Lee Chee Meng – a Monorail specialist from Malaysia.

Sreehari felt that for a growing city like Bangalore, an appropriate solution to the transportation problem was to develop a multi-model transit system wherein the metro, monorail, buses and private vehicles co-exist and complement each other.

The present North, South and Western corridors planned for Metro could continue. “However, the proposed underground stations, and Eastern corridor running on MG road where Metro will not be sustainable can be replaced by the monorail system,” he noted.

Additional radial corridors and multiple loops around the CBD, inner and outer areas could also be provided with Monorail feeder and dispersal links. “Interchange stations can be provided to ensure a seamless journey for the commuter. In the first phase, instead of providing the underground metro for about 6.7 km and 27 km of elevated section, nearly 70 km of multi-modal systems consisting of both metro and monorail can be provided with the same budget,” he added.

Advocating a multi-model approach, Lee contended that Monorail systems cost per km are much lower than Metro for an equivalent capacity. It was incorrect to estimate the cost by converting the Dollar or Yen prices to Indian Rupees, while reflecting Indian construction cost to Metro.

Stating that Metro cost per km was under valued in recent press reports, Lee said that Monorails cost less since they run on lighter single beam guide ways and require minimal land acquisition as they pass over public roads.

Srinidhi, who argued that the contemporary Monorail can match the capacity of any other mass rapid transit system, suggested that the Government should commission a multi-model transport system study by a team of consultants with expertise in modern people mover system such as monorails, high capacity buses and light rail.

He also recommended that the Government adopt an appropriate mix of transport systems to suit the city for the next 50 years. “Geodesic Techniques along with PJSI have already offered such services to the Government of NCT, Delhi,” he added.