Date:21/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/21/stories/2005022101991300.htm

Back New rapid mass transport system for Kolkata on the cards

Our Bureau

The Park Street flyover in Kolkata which was opened on Saturday. — Sushanta Patronobish

Kolkata , Feb. 20

IN a bid to reduce traffic congestion and increase the average speed of vehicular traffic, the West Bengal Government is in the process of identifying a rapid mass transport system for Kolkata.

According to the Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, an effort was made to get to know views and proposals on the subject, and several organisations had responded favourably.

"In Kolkata, we have the underground metro railway. We are also building flyovers, but all this is not enough. So, we are contemplating building a transport system just above the roads," Mr Bhattacharjee said.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Park Street Flyover. This is the fourth flyover in the city being constructed with the help of assistance from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

On the proposed rapid mass transport system, the Chief Minister said a high-power technical committee has been formed and, the details of the proposal are being studied.

About five years ago, the West Bengal Government had received a Rs 400-crore loan from JBIC for building flyovers. According to Mr Subhas Chakraborty, State Transport Minister, around Rs 30 crore had been saved from the total projected expenditure.