If all goes as per plan, locals and visitors including tourists and pilgrims to Sangam city would be enjoying comfortable rides on board ‘Metrolite’ before Mahakumbh-2025 gets underway in Prayagraj.
The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has intensified the efforts to develop and operationalise the Metrolite system by roping in Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) to prepare the detailed project repot (DPR) for the 44-km rail system.
Metrolite is is a low-cost solution to the requirement of mass transit in smaller cities which are suffering from congestion. Metrolite is similar to Tram and has dedicated tracks, separated from the road.
This system can be developed either At-Grade or elevated with low curve radius thus avoiding the need for underground construction. The cost of construction is about 40 per cent of high capacity metro system. This system is more viable and sustainable due to less capital, operation and maintenance costs.
According to the plan, Metrolite would be operated on two routes of the city—Bamrauli to Jhunsi Kanihar, which is 23 kilometre long and Shantipuram to Chivki, which is 21 kilometre long.
The Rs 5,500 crore project received in principle nod of State government in 2022 and approval has been received from the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRCL) as well.
The DPR once ready will be put for approval, after which the process of laying the track will start.
A public sector undertaking of the Ministry of Railways, RITES has been engaged at a rate for Rs 4 lakh per kilometre for the project work.