Work on the much awaited Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) is likely to begin in the first week of May after the passage of Railway Budget. The groundwork like survey and project planning has already been completed and the whole project is expected to be completed in three phases over a five-year time frame.

The project is estimated to cost Rs.150 crore which would be shared by the state government, Railways and a private agency which is yet to be identified.

The MRTS project will reduce 3,100 tonnes of pollution per year and according to conservative estimates it will also reduce the number of vehicles by 35,000.

The project is said to be eco-friendly, cheaper transport mode and also faster. The tariff would be 13 paise per km or will be fixed on par with the APSRTC rates.

As part of the project, the existing 18 railway stations would be put to optimum use and another eight stations would be added later connecting all corners of the twin cities.

Laying of approach roads, beautification of premises, increasing parking areas at railway stations form part of the project.

The trains would run at 15-20 minutes frequency during peak hours and 20-30 minutes during lean hours.

The Ministry of Railways would spend Rs.70 crore and State government about Rs.30 crore. And the state government is contemplating to float a corporation to raise the funds and also to operate the MRTS before privatizing it. 

- January '2001

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