Metro may get nod despite low transit load

JAIPUR: Low demand is expected to pose a challenge for Jaipur Metro. The Mansarovar to Jaipur Railway Station corridor, expected to be operational by 2013, has estimated a passenger load of 11,000 during peak hours. The minimum capacity of the proposed project would be at least 15,000 transits per hour.
The detailed project report (DPR) is expected to be submitted in next few days.It is believed that the directions for construction of an elevated corridor will be finalised by May 2010. Low passenger load is a major hindrance.
Travel demand over the route is expected to grow. The project, thus, needs to be developed to meet future expectations of the city. The DPR will have all aspects to make the project feasible, says Lalit Meghnani advisor, Jaipur Metro Railway Corporation.
Even before the DPR gets a formal cabinet approval, the state government has constituted the administrative bodies for the project . Development work for elevated tracks for a medium capacity metro system is expected to be completed by March, 2013.
The peak hour travel demand over the route is expected to grow to 27,000 trips per hour by 2031. Not only the peak hour load over the route is low, public transport needs remain high only for a few hours, the city nearly coming to standstill in late hours. Despite obstacles, the officials at the urban development department are confident of approval for the project, The metro project and bus rapid transit system will satisfy nearly half of the city transport needs, the projects are essential to ensure that city roads remain traffic free says a senior urban development official.
Doubts have also been expressed on the proposed route of north-south corridor and it is expected to undergo a review, the initial work will be launched for the 9-km stretch of the east-west corridor, estimated to cost around Rs 1,500 crore.