After Metro, time for the tram

After starting work on all three phases of Greater Noida Metro simultaneously, Noida Authority shifts focus to trams in the city 

With the Noida Metro construction work going on in full swing, it’s time for the Noida Authority to focus on the next best thing in sight: trams. Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan has already granted in-principle approval to the project, which is expected to provide last-mile connectivity across the city. Now Chairperson Rama Raman, who’s also the boss of the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), wants to push the ‘Spanish’ traffic model  in the city. Raman was part of a delegation that had gone to Barcelona had gone to study the Metro transit system there. The soft-spoken bureaucrat was in total awe of the system in the Spanish capital and wants to replicate the same here. "Public transport such as the Metro and tram are the quickest, simplest and most convenient way of getting around in Barcelona," Raman said. "It is state-of-the-art and completely automated. Not only are the trains driverless, but also a single person controls the entire Metro system. The network is, therefore, a leading example in terms of comfort and speed, while possessing the longest, widest and most user-friendly stations." Raman said that in addition to the Metro, they also studied other options, which were available in the city to facilitate urban travel. "Buses powered by natural gas, and also the use of information technology have led to the ever-increasing use of public transport," he said. Earlier, NMRC decided to hand over consultancy of the tram project to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. According to NMRC officials, a formal letter of appointment for the consultant will be issued soon and DMRC will work on the feasibility of the project and submit a report within two-three months. "The feasibility will be worked out on several routes which will be selected in order of priority and percentage of ridership,” said an NMRC official. “The routes will complement the existing Metro routes," he said. Mr Raman had also given a presentation and amongst the three proposed routes, one route was shortlisted - Sector 132 to Mahamaya Flyover parallel to Greater Noida-Noida Expressway. This should fuel the realty demand on Expressway further. The tram service will also link Metro stations present in the two regions. The proposed route is likely to cover an area of 10.5 km and will cover all residential colonies that fall under this stretch. While the project is likely to cost over Rs 20 crore per km, the tentative budget will be released only after the DPR report is presented.