THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government has accorded in-principle approval for the proposal for introducing Personal Road
Transit (PRT) system in Thiruvananthapuram, which was submitted by INKEL.
City Express, in these columns on January 30, had reported that INKEL had submitted the proposal to the State Government. According to the proposal, PRT is a new public transportation system designed for swift travel in congested areas and will operate above busy roads.
Chief Minister Ommen Chandy said here on Wednesday that INKEL made a presentation of the PRT system on elevated routes as a solution to the increasing traffic needs of the city.
“The model presented on an elevated route will enable six persons to travel on a fast mode in a given vehicle. Already, such systems are successfully being operated in places like Amritsar in the country,” he said.
PRT uses highly intelligent computer- controlled, driver-less and battery-operated 4-6 seat vehicles running on an elevated guideway. In the initial phase of the project,
PRT system will be introduced from Vellayambalam to East Fort through LMS, Palayam, Statue, Overbridge, and to Thampanoor with a total length of 5 km (one side) and six stations. The subsequent phase can be configured to cover the rest of city, including Technopark, Airport etc.
The implementation of PRT requires coordination of various agencies, including PWD, Transport, LSGD, KSEB and KWA, among others.