Delhi Capital

Stating that a monorail link is financially not an unviable option, RITES, a transport and infrastructure consultancy has suggested the state government for a high speed Bus Road Transit (BRT) elevated corridor should be constructed instead. The report states that the BRT will provide an easier access to commuters choosing to travel to far-flung areas like Baprola which is ahead of the Dwarka Mor Metro station. If the Delhi government accepts this proposal, Delhi will be the first city in the country with an elevated BRT.

The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) had commissioned Rail India Transit & Economic Services (RITES) consultancy to carry out a techno-economic feasibility study and prepare a detailed project report on a mass transit channel that could link the capital with a Knowledge Based Industrial (KBI) hub which is to be set-up at Baprola in west Delhi. The RITES report will now be put before the state government for approval. If the government clears the project, DSIIDC is targetting a completion deadline of 2015.

The final report which was submitted to DSIIDC, RITES states that introducing a sophisticated transit system for short length routes is very costly and hence monorail may not be ideal for the 4.5 kilometre long alignment between the Dwarka Modh metro station to the site of the KBI hub. Instead the report states “The bus/road based systems are ideally suited for the last mile connectivity as it is the least costly solution” In its report to DSIIDC, RITES states that having an at grade (on ground) BRT system between Dwarka Metro station and the KBI hub will not be suitable as people living on either sides of the corridor will try to cross the roads which will affect the level of service and bring down travel speed and the image of the system for users.

The report states “In view of these reasons it is recommended to provide a grade separated (elevated) closed bus rapid transit system for the corridor.” RITES suggested developing the BRT corridor in two phases, the first one covering the distance of 4.5km between Dwarka Metro station to the KBI Park at an estimated cost of Rs 335.62 crore. The next phase, would extend the corridor to Mundka connecting the metro station from the northwest of Delhi to the KBI hub and the estimated cost will be around Rs 403 crore. Both phases taken together would add nearly 12 km of elevated BRT to the city’s road transport network.

It will be spread over 63.97 acres, the KBI complex will make room for industries of the future and provide direct employment to over 1 lakh people and indirect employment to 1,70,000 people. A proposal for group housing over 4.9 acres was also submitted to make some room for providing space for housing within Delhi. The state government and DSIIDC has already cleared for the Baprola complex, developed on a “green building concept,” is likely to come up at a cost of over Rs 1,500 crore. It is proposed to be developed on a self financing mode.

News Source : Times of India

Delhi is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and in just two year, Delhi is planning to implement pod taxi. Vasant Kunj may become Delhi’s first locality to get pod cabs. Pods are a quicker and more personal mode of transport. Pod cabs in Delhi will connect various parts of Vasant kunj with Vasant Vihar via Nelson Mandela Marg and Aurobindo Marg near Andheria Morh. Delhi Government has already got a detailed report from the Transport Department for approval.

Pad taxis are small electric cars which run on a dedicated tracks and seating’s range from two to 10 commuters. Pods were first introduced in Morgantown in 1975, which is located in the US stated of West Virginia and this mode of transportation is famous in various parts of the globe.  Haryana government in India is currently doing a feasibility study for Gurgaon. Dwarka, Karol Bagh, Delhi University and east Delhi areas are some areas where Delhi transport Department is planning to implement the Pod Taxis concept.

Officials said that Vasant Kunj was choosen from a list of 20 areas in Delhi to intall this futuristic mode of transportation. Installing Pod in Delhi is not a small task but if everything goes according to plan, Delhi will have its own pod cabs in just two years from now.  Vasant kunj, one of Delhi’s upscale market/residential area was choose by the Delhi Transport Department to be it first location. According to officials, Vasant Kunj is the best location where a facility like pod cars would be highly successful.

Delhi has experience huge change in the mode of transportation, all for better and the installation of Metro Train in December 2002 has made commuting in the Capital much more convenient. With the funky colored air conditioned buses, commuting in Delhi has never been better. Pod cabs which are small personalised, pilot-less taxis and ply on rails or suspended on elevated track will be the latest edition to Delhi’s Transport. Pods will have a carrying capacity of some 4,000-5,000 passengers per hour, per direction, at a speed of 40-70km an hour and will cost around rupees 8 per ride.  

A senior official said that “The system is suitable for a locality where people have paying capacity. It will not only serve as a local transport system within the Vasant Kunj area, but will also act as a feeder service to the Metro network at Andheria Morh (Central Secretariat Line) and Vasant Vihar (Janakpuri-Noida Line),“ UK-based Ultra Fairwood Limited, who are conducting a study for the project in Gurgaon -and MISTER Personal Rapid Transit System have already stated their intention to construct and operate the system in Delhi are some shortlisted companies who will work on the construction as according to an Official.