Guwahati: The Assam government plans to increase the share of public transport in Guwahati to 45 per cent from the current 18 per cent by introducing Metro rail and Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) on certain corridors in the city.
This was discussed during a meeting held by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi with officials of Guwahati Development Department (GDD) and Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) at his residence on Thursday, an official release said on Friday.
The meeting discussed issues relating to introduction of Metro/Light Rail Transport System for Guwahati.
“The meeting focussed mainly on the need to develop a proper mobility system to streamline the present chaotic traffic situation in the city for which the main strategy identified is to augment the introduction and need for urgent mass public transit mechanism,” the statement said.
As per a study, the average journey speed of 18 km will be reduced to 7 km and share of trips of public transport presently 18 per cent will be reduced to 10 per cent in the near future if no corrective measure is taken up urgently in Guwahati.
“In order to prevent this situation it is proposed to increase the public transport share of trips to 45 per cent by introducing a proper public transit mechanism by way of introducing Metro Rail/BRTS on certain corridors and restrict and reduce the share of trips of private cars and two-wheelers which is now almost 70 per cent,” it said.
Gogoi discussed the issue of identifying public transport corridors for BRT/LRT and Metro Rail in the city.
It was decided that these corridors can be on existing transport network system either “at grade or grade separated, depending upon the right-of-way (RoW) available and will extend up to the urban centers falling within the metropolitan region and within the 30-50 km radius of influence area of the city.”
Gogoi said there is need of urgently taking up study of introducing Metro Rail on two corridors in the city — a 32.4 km corridor connecting the eastern and western part Guwahati from the International Airport to Noonmati and a 11.8 km corridor connecting central area with south eastern part of the city from Paltan Bazar to Khanapara.
The meeting also decided to approach the Union Ministry of Urban Development for necessary funds for taking up the feasibility study and preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) on introducing Metro Rail in Guwahati, the statement said. (PTI)