RailEnquiry

GUWAHATI: The Union ministry of urban development (MoUD) has agreed to assist the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) in conducting a feasibility study on the proposed metro rail project in Guwahati.On behalf of the state government, GMDA chief executive officer M Angamuthu recently made a presentation on the metro rail project before top officials of MoUD.Talking to TOI, Angamuthu said metro rail has become a necessity in Guwahati in view of growing traffic snarls."The metro rail project in Guwahati will reduce traffic congestion on city streets greatly. Traffic snarls are frequently witnessed in the roads due to the lesser contribution of the public transport to the entire transport system in the city. Since two-wheelers and other private vehicles constitute a major portion of the total numbers of vehicles plying on the streets, traffic congestion is obvious," Angamuthu said.He added that at present two-wheelers and other private vehicles contribute 35 per cent and 30 per cent respectively to the total number of vehicles plying the roads.According to Angamuthu, the contribution of the public transport will be enhanced to 45 per cent after metro rail starts in Guwahati.As per the plans of the GMDA, metro rail service will cover two different routes in the city. Out of these two, one route will cover a 32-km distance from the LGBI Airport to Narengi. The other route will be cover a distance of 12 km between Paltan Bazar and Khanapara.

"Vital aspects of the metro rail service like the alignments, stations and elevations will be studied during the feasibility study that is likely to begin within the next three months," said Angamuthu. He added that the metro rail service in Guwahati may be constructed over the ground as well as underground.