Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Though the Railway Ministry is yet to be convinced that the Skybus Mass Transport System is viable and safe, B. Rajaram, Managing Director of Konkan Railway, who holds a patent for the skybus, says if the government does not wish to implement the system, he will open it to private bidders.
The much-talked about skybus system, which has its 1.6 km test track in Goa, is yet to receive the safety clearance certificate from the Commissioner of Railway Safety. Last year the project ran into trouble when one person was killed and three injured in an accident during the trial run.
‘‘My biggest problem is that the Railway Ministry has not been able to decide whether the skybus is a train or a bus. In fact, the skybus is ready for commercial use but for policy constraints,’’ said Rajaram. His immediate aim is to secure a safety certification before January 31, the day he retires.
The two-coach skybus is expected to pack in upto 300 passengers on a single trip and has been designed to handle 18,000-1 lakh persons per hour.
‘‘We have completed trial runs at a speed of 70 kmph and it’s great to get such results in the first prototype itself. With fine-tuning, we will be able to reach 90 kmph,’’ said Rajaram.
According to him, the skybus is the ultimate solution for any city. ‘‘At Rs 50 crore per km, it will provide the same services at one-fourth the cost of Delhi Metro. Unlike the metro, the skybus follows existing roads, thus reaching into the very heart of the city while decongesting the roads. Moreover, it can be implemented and commissioned within two years.’’ The Konkan Railway has invited bids to market the project and Rajaram is confident the capital invested would be recovered within seven years.
(The reporter was on a trip to Goa sponsored by the Konkan Railway)
