Kolkata Light Rail Transit System

Kolkata Light Rail Transit System (often referred to simply as LRTS) is a proposed project for an elevated light rail transport that is gradually gaining in acceptance and is likely to be implemented in the coming years.

Proposal

KMDA study report

A KMDA study report submitted in 2002, projected that that by the year 2011, an estimated 23.5 million passengers will be carried daily within the Kolkata metropolitan area by the existing transit modes. By 2021 and 2025, the estimated number of passengers to be carried daily will be 29.9 and 32.2 million respectively. Without appropriate steps in place, the entire traffic system could face collapse. It proposed that the light railway transit system be introduced in areas where roads of adequate right-of-way was available so that exclusive corridors could be provided for the system to operate smoothly. A feasibility study had revealed that the system would work fine in some selected corridors to act as an intermediate mode of mass transit.cite web | url =http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=6&id=29040&usrsess=1 | title = Kolkata may pioneer new rail system | accessdate = 2008-01-18 | last =| first = | work = Bengal | publisher ="The Statesman", 3 May 2002]

Physical features

The tracks will be laid at a height of 11.9 metres, with a stop every kilometre. All stops will have escalators and ticket-booking counters, with entry-exit systems along the lines of Kolkata Metro. The vehicles will run at a speed of 60 kph. The minimum fare has been pegged at Rs. 5 (up to 5 km) and the maximum at Rs 12 (beyond 15 km). cite web | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050413/asp/calcutta/story_4605842.asp | title = Green light for rail transit - Swift, three-coach trams to ply high on three routes | accessdate = 2008-01-18 | last = Mukherjee | first = Shankar | work = | publisher ="The Telegraph", 13 April 2005]

Cost

The cost of the 32 km project between Joka and Panihati is estimated at 320 billion rupees.cite web | url =http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=22&id=193765&usrsess=1
title = Govt to pursue LRTS despite objections | accessdate = 2008-01-18 | last = | first = | work =Kolkata Plus | publisher ="The Statesman", 17 August 2007] West Bengal state government is seeking the inclusion of the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Government of India is expected to fund 35 per cent of the project and the state 15 per cent. The rest of the money will come from a private partner. cite web | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070621/asp/calcutta/story_7951218.asp | title = New thrust to light rail transit project | accessdate = 2008-01-18 | last = | first = | work = | publisher ="The Telegraph", 21 June 2007] The proposed East-West metro is likely to cost 60 billion rupees.

References