Date:03/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/03/stories/2006020306210600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Vasan sees `ulterior motive'

Special Correspondent

"Only 60 to 100 people can travel in monorail system, while 750 can travel in metro rail"

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president and Union Minister of State for Project Implementation, G. Vasan MP, has suspected "ulterior motive" behind the Tamil Nadu Government's move to opt for monorail system to meet the growing traffic requirements of the city.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Mr. Vasan said the State Government had earlier announced that it would implement a metro rail system to relieve the traffic congestion. For this, it had asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to conduct a survey and present a feasibility report.

Suddenly, the government asked the DMRC to stop the work stating that it had decided to go for monorail project.

Monorail, Mr. Vasan pointed out, was not implemented anywhere in the world for more than 50 km distance.

It was being used only as a feeder service and not as a main line service. Again, the capacity of monorail was limited.

Only 60 to 100 people could travel in a monorail at a time, while more than 750 commuters could travel in a metro rail system.

In monorail system, rail boxes and other parts had to be imported. But in metro rail, coaches could be manufactured in India itself, even in Integral Coach Factory, Perambur.

He said, monorail was not ideal for Chennai. It was surprising that the Government had selected it despite knowing its drawbacks.