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East West Metro stresses on commuter convenience

By Riti, Section Kolkata Metro
Posted on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 02:23:30 AM EST

Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) will give the maximum priority to commuter convenience as it constructs the East-West Metro. Apart from constructing the Metro corridor, it is also focusing on passenger amenities.

In this endeavour, it plans terminals for the Metro's feeder buses that will enter the city with passengers, who will eventually avail of the EW Metro for their onward journey within the city. "Feeder buses may drop passengers at the entrance to the proposed Metro station and pick them up from its exits. We may have to re-route a few buses, too," explained a transport department official. Besides, common tickets will be introduced for the existing north-south Metro, the proposed E-W Metro and the feeder buses.

Besides, there are plans to regulate the movement of taxis and share autos between the two points. "It will not be viable for taxis or autos to ply on the same route. Certain restrictions will be imposed on them. The auto routes will be planned in a way that does not clash with the Metro underground," said transport secretary Sumantra Chaudhuri.

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KMRC is also planning to build parking lots for cars, bikes and cycles at major stations of the E-W Metro. "Once these are built, commuters can park their cars outside a station and then take the Metro," added Chaudhuri. The authorities though anticipated problems in setting up this facility in the heart of the city, be it at Central station, Phoolbagan, Bowbazar, Sealdah or BBD Bag. It will be easier to do so at the remaining stations in Salt Lake and Howrah.

The proposed Metro will integrate with the existing north-south metro at Central station and with suburban and long distance railway services at major stations like Howrah, Sealdah and Dum Dum. Ferry service at Howrah and the international bus terminus at Salt Lake's Karunamoyee will also be linked to it.

A shuttle bus service has been proposed for the E-W Metro's Mahakaran (Writers' Buildings) station as a large number of commuters will take the metro from it. The shuttle buses will operate free of cost from the station along the corridors of BBD Bag at 15 minute intervals. Similar bus services have also been proposed for elevated stations at City Centre, Central Park and Karunamoyee. Maintenance of these four stations will be handed over to private companies.

Source:The Times Of India 17thJuly2008.

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