The Mumbai skybus project proposed by the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) has received a major headway with the Rs 100 crore equity contribution from Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority (MMRDA). The initial component of the project will cover a distance of 11 km between Andheri and Ghatkopar. It can be extended later to most other parts of the city stretching a distance of over 85 km on an elevated track with a significant scope for lateral transport between the eastern and western parts of the city.
The sky bus metro will home several technological and other advantages in relation to its costs. It will have a well-proven rail guided bogie system made of less-weight-but-strong metal and fibre-reinforced composites. Hence, it will have comparatively less dead weight and more payloads. From a viewpoint of passengers' safety, it will be devoid of problems like overturning and destruction by vandals. It will also be devoid of major land acquisitions since the elevated tracks are erected on existing roads, hence would not interfere with existing features of the city. It promises to provide a pleasant view, comfortable travel in a pollution-free environment, and fast transport. It is claimed that the robustness of sky bus endows it with the capacity of train and flexibility of bus.
The transport problems of Mumbai city are increasingly being aggravated by ever increasing traffic. Both roadways and railways carry much more than their capacity to cater the volume of passenger traffic. The need for an alternate transport system is felt quite long time; but appropriate means of it are yet to be found. The proposed sky bus project is a Mass Urban Rapid Transit System (MURTS) and promises to home several desirable features like safe and efficient transport, low operation and maintenance costs, fast comfortable travel, and non-interference with the existing carriage ways and transport.
The sky bus project is also expected to be cost-effective in a sense that the capital costs of rolling stock and track maintenance would be comparatively low. The proponents of the project maintain that the capital, as also depreciation and interest, can be recovered effectively within a reasonable time span of less than three years given the vibrancy of demand for such transport in cities like Mumbai. The Konkan Railway Corporation is going to be the major body responsible for the implementation of the project with financing made through a combination of debt and equity. The project will be based on build, own and operate method of promoting public-private partnerships.
The sky bus is already in vogue in a few European countries like Germany. At present, In India there are two major proposals made on similar lines - a light rail transport system for Bangalore city and sky bus facility for Kochi city in the Southern India - both of which are also built on the public-private partnerships model. When it is unveiled, the sky bus can become a more efficient and pleasant means of transport available to the citizens of Mumbai, which may also be applauded as a technological marvel and an alternative means of transport to an already space constrained city like Mumbai.
Prepared by
Ramakrishna Nallathiga