Varanasi: The ambitious Kashi Project that was given a go ahead by the Akhilesh Yadav government has been rejected by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA). The project – Varanasi Metro Rail – was prepared by the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) and was sanctioned by the Yadav’s government.
Read Also:Â Varanasi Metro | RITES completes DPR for metro rail project in Varanasi City
The earlier plan rejected, the authorities have asked RITES to work on preparing a comprehensive mobility plan. The focus is on developing a mass rapid transport system (MRTS) for Varanasi.
Rajesh Kumar, vice-chairman of VDA has proposed introduction of light Varanasi metro rail with a mass mobility plan. The plan will keep provision of problems that are expected to come while executing the plan during the previously selected corridor. RITES officials too presented an inception plan of metro rail service for Varanasi.
Kumar explaining the reason for scrapping metro rail project shared that the project was not feasible for the city. He added the metro project require huge investment. The proposal points out that metro rail project cannot solve the issue of offering Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) for a densely populated city.
Kumar explaining the reason for scrapping metro rail project shared that the project was not feasible for the city. He added the metro project require huge investment. The proposal points out that metro rail project cannot solve the issue of offering Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) for a densely populated city.
Read Also:Â Varanasi Metro | RITES to study feasibility of cable cars and metro rail in Varanasi
Taking into a lot of factors into consideration, VDA decided to scrap the Varanasi metro rail project and instead work towards a comprehensive mobility plan.
Kumar expressed that they will now work towards developing MRTS. They arrived at the decision by going through RITES reports and presentation on a new comprehensive mobility plan.
Moving ahead Kumar has asked RITES to explore all possible modes of transport – waterways, dedicated bus corridors as well as light metro. Kumar as asked RITEs to prepare a plan based on the requirement of the city and how best it can be achieved.
RITES based on the brief are now working on preparing a new comprehensive mobility plan. Once the plan is ready, authorities will take a call on introducing new modes of public transport for the city of Varanasi.
