If everything moves in the right direction, Cuttack would become the first city in the State to have monorail system of public transport within next few years.
Even as the process for preparing an integrated comprehensive mobility plan (ICMP) for the Twin City of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has got underway, plans are afoot to introduce monorail in the Millennium City keeping in view the growing needs of transport over next decade and beyond.
A study on the viability of launching the monorail over an eight to 10 km stretch in the city is expected to be carried out soon. The Engineering Projects (India) Ltd would conduct a comprehensive survey of the city’s capacity to host the system as well as the traffic and congestion problems and submit a proposal.
The thrust is on covering the most congested pockets under the system, that is being hailed as a solution for emerging traffic scenarios and problems, in old and small cities that do not have enough scope for road expansion.
The option of having a circular Ring Road route for Monorail system has been ruled out as it was not considered feasible on traffic considerations.
Cuttack is increasingly burdened by exponential growth in vehicular traffic, which may spiral out of control in next decade or so. According to estimates, major thoroughfares are witnessing a traffic flow of more than 100 vehicles including two wheelers per minute during peak hours.
While Badambadi-Madhupatana Link Road stretch is the most congested with traffic density crossing 300 per minute, thoroughfares like College Square, Mangalabag, Buxi Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, CDA Square see peak flow of over 100 vehicles per minute.
These areas also hold little scope for road expansion or widening. With ever increasing vehicular load, alternatives should be urgently implemented. A corridor should be created covering these most congested parts, sources said.
Monorail with its elevated and narrow beam system would not only alleviate the problems of space but also be free of pollution and sound. With a carrying capacity of 90 to 120 passengers at a time, it can cover distances at high speed.
“A high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department I Srinivas recently took up the issue of exploring monorail system for Cuttack. The study by EPIL is expected to start soon,” Secretary of Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) S Sethy said.
The study for identifying a feasible corridor would be undertaken in coordination with CDA, Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Commissionerate Police and other Government Departments concerned.