Engineers from Poland are in town to hardsell a cable car system, ‘Mister Rail’, as a feeder route to the Metro. The govt’s transport consultant is evaluating their presentation
It will be the jewel on the city’s Metro crown, and if implemented could be one of the best things to happen to the city in recent times. A Polish company has proposed a cable car system in Bangalore that is very cost-effective and, when used as a feeder system to the Metro, will substantially streamline traffic in the city’s congested arteries.
A proposal on the interestingly acronymed MISTER (Metropolitan Individual System of Transportation on Elevated Rail) has been submitted by the Polish company to Prof M N Sreehari, advisor to the state government on traffic, transport and infrastructure. He has sought a few clarifications from the firm and once they are sorted out, he would forward the proposal to the government.
“We will soon make an official presentation in this regard,” D N Srihari, who is Mister’s consultant, told Bangalore Mirror.
“The system is widely accepted in cities across the world and now we are proposing it to Bangalore.” The cable car system is not only a tried-and-tested traffic solution, but will also enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal. The sleek, bubble-shaped cable cars, each with a seating capacity of five to 15 passengers, will regularly shuttle back and forth at 50 kilometres-per-hour 10 metres above the ground from designated, easily accessible points.
Mister has already been approved by authorities in London’s Heathrow airport and in Rio de Janeiro, while Colombo too has evinced keen interest. It could develop into a feasible alternative to autos and cabs, and if it takes off, Bangalore will be the first Indian city to have it. That it is a BOOT (built-own-operate-transfer) project, with the entire investment being made by the Poles, would make the proposal even more irresistible to the government.
Mister could in fact become a substitute for monorail. In terms of setting-up costs, it is six times cheaper than monorail and will demand much less space. Monorail requires over two to three meters on a road while Mister will require only one meter. Moreover, unlike the erection of monorail, Mister can be assembled in a much shorter time and with minimum disruption. If the proposal is okayed, the cable car system will come up initially on a one kilometer stretch. Once it is fully tested and the wrinkles ironed out, it will be expanded. Right now, the Old Airport Road is being considered for the pilot project. The one hurdle the project is likely to face is the city’s undulating terrain. The cable system will have to factor in the curves and sharp angles and this is one of the problems currently being evaluated.
“We are looking at whether the ground here suits Mister. It is more linear in nature and the company has to explain how they can cater to curves and junctions. It should also justify how they can withstand conditions in city like wind, rains, as a safety is a major concern.
“They have to satisfy us on all these issues,” M N Sreehari said.
A three-way comparisonTo commission a 1-km stretch...
Metro: 6 months
Mono: 2-3 months
Mister: 1 month
Ticketing cost per 2 km
Metro: Rs 10
Mono: Rs 6-8
Mister: Rs 4-5
MISTER factsSeating capacity: 15 passengers
Speed: 50 kmph
Elevation: 10m above ground
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It will be the jewel on the city’s Metro crown, and if implemented could be one of the best things to happen to the city in recent times. A Polish company has proposed a cable car system in Bangalore that is very cost-effective and, when used as a feeder system to the Metro, will substantially streamline traffic in the city’s congested arteries.
A proposal on the interestingly acronymed MISTER (Metropolitan Individual System of Transportation on Elevated Rail) has been submitted by the Polish company to Prof M N Sreehari, advisor to the state government on traffic, transport and infrastructure. He has sought a few clarifications from the firm and once they are sorted out, he would forward the proposal to the government.
“We will soon make an official presentation in this regard,” D N Srihari, who is Mister’s consultant, told Bangalore Mirror.
“The system is widely accepted in cities across the world and now we are proposing it to Bangalore.” The cable car system is not only a tried-and-tested traffic solution, but will also enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal. The sleek, bubble-shaped cable cars, each with a seating capacity of five to 15 passengers, will regularly shuttle back and forth at 50 kilometres-per-hour 10 metres above the ground from designated, easily accessible points.
|
Mister has already been approved by authorities in London’s Heathrow airport and in Rio de Janeiro, while Colombo too has evinced keen interest. It could develop into a feasible alternative to autos and cabs, and if it takes off, Bangalore will be the first Indian city to have it. That it is a BOOT (built-own-operate-transfer) project, with the entire investment being made by the Poles, would make the proposal even more irresistible to the government.
Mister could in fact become a substitute for monorail. In terms of setting-up costs, it is six times cheaper than monorail and will demand much less space. Monorail requires over two to three meters on a road while Mister will require only one meter. Moreover, unlike the erection of monorail, Mister can be assembled in a much shorter time and with minimum disruption. If the proposal is okayed, the cable car system will come up initially on a one kilometer stretch. Once it is fully tested and the wrinkles ironed out, it will be expanded. Right now, the Old Airport Road is being considered for the pilot project. The one hurdle the project is likely to face is the city’s undulating terrain. The cable system will have to factor in the curves and sharp angles and this is one of the problems currently being evaluated.
“We are looking at whether the ground here suits Mister. It is more linear in nature and the company has to explain how they can cater to curves and junctions. It should also justify how they can withstand conditions in city like wind, rains, as a safety is a major concern.
“They have to satisfy us on all these issues,” M N Sreehari said.
A three-way comparisonTo commission a 1-km stretch...
Metro: 6 months
Mono: 2-3 months
Mister: 1 month
Ticketing cost per 2 km
Metro: Rs 10
Mono: Rs 6-8
Mister: Rs 4-5
MISTER factsSeating capacity: 15 passengers
Speed: 50 kmph
Elevation: 10m above ground
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