[sustran] Ludhiana Metro plan dumped, govt doles out Rs 1, 250 cr-BRTS ahead of LS polls

[Vinay Baindur]

tHIS SHOWS HOW THE mETRO LOBBY influences decisions in other places


http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ludhiana/metro-plan-dumped-govt-doles-out-rs-1250-cr-brts-ahead-of-ls-polls/



*Metro plan dumped, govt doles out Rs 1,250 cr-BRTS ahead of LS polls*

Written by Divya Goyal | Ludhiana | February 13, 2014 6:55 am   Print


Councillors during the emergency MC House meeting on Wednesday. (Gurmeet
Singh)


SUMMARY
39.5 km system to run on five corridors and be completed by 2018.

*After spending crores on preparing Detailed Project report of the proposed
Ludhiana Metro project (since 2011)  which was estimated to cost a whopping
Rs 10,330 crore, SAD- BJP government on Wednesday doled out much 'cheaper
and economical' Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) for Ludhiana which will
cost Rs 1,250 crore only.*


The move comes few days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls has
brought forth the financial crunch of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and
state government which is now sending this project to Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for getting 50 per cent funds from
the Centre and it was presented before the MC General House emergency
meeting for instant approval.

Addressing the house, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria talked straight  and
announced that 'for the time being Ludhiana Metro has been kept aside and
 now we are seeking house's approval for BRTS which like the Metro is aimed
at solving traffic congestion in the city.'

The house taking a unanimous call approved the project which will now be
put forth in a meeting with JNNURM officials in New Delhi. Isha Kalia,
additional commissioner said, "The project is on the lines of Metro only
but  difference is that instead of rail tracks and trains, corridors will
made especially for buses."

"We have to send the project to JNNURM for their approval and getting funds
from centre so an emergency meeting was called," she added.

The project will be thoroughly carried out under guidance of Punjab Bus
Metro society (PBMS) and is expected to be completed by 2018. However, the
first phase of 14.5 km from Ayali Chowk to Gill village is proposed to be
implemented in 2014-15 with fleet of 48 buses.