BHUBANESWAR: : The State Government has directed the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) to review status of the proposed Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) which would run on a 30-km track between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
While the Twin City will be taken up in first phase of the MRTS project, Choudwar, Khurda and Jatni will be covered in subsequent stages.
The H&UDD has called a meeting of BDA and Transport Department officials and senior engineers of East Coast Railway and Roads Division recently to discuss modalities of the project and prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The H&UDD has outsourced assessment and feasibility of the maiden MRTS project in the State to a Secunderabad-based consultancy firm. Sources said the private firm has prepared two technical reports ‘Traffic Demand Assessment’ and ‘System Selection Report’ which would be taken up for discussion at the meeting after which the DPR would be finalised.
The report carries information on the current transport situation in order to establish the existing condition and capacity of public transport system. An analysis on future land use and transportation trends in the corridor, including likely growth in travel trends and pattern has already been completed, the official mentioned.
The Department is focusing on a revenue model for generating at least 50 per cent of the capital expenditure through property development and 12.5 per cent of operation and maintenance through recurring source of revenue other than fare.
This apart, an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study has been aligned with Environment Management Plan (EMP) for construction and operation phase. Special attention has been given on technology to minimise noise pollution during construction and operation phase.
Impact on traffic during construction, any adverse impact on adjacent properties, business in the area and general quality of life in the MRTS project influence area are other aspects which would be looked into.
The Department is planning to extend the time for deliverables by the consultant for a period of six months. “Initially, the firm was contracted to prepare an assessment report for the Twin City transit system, which was later extended to Choudwar in the North and Jatni and Khurda on the South,” a senior H&UDD official said.