The government of West Bengal on Wednesday (February 18) signed an agreement with non-banking finance company SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited to set up India's first elevated light rail transit system in Kolkata. The light rail transport system project is expected to cost about Rs 60 billion. The project work will be handled by SREI-led consortium that includes Czech-based Amex International as the technology partner and state-run West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Limited.

 

The Light Rail Transit System (LRTS) project at Kolkata is likely to be completed in four to five years. The 40-km rail transport system will connect the northern suburbs with the southern fringes of the city. The two-phase project will have two corridors from Joka to Esplanade and from Esplanade to Barrackpore. According to CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the installation of fast-mode transport system will solve the problems of de-congested roads of the city.

 

There will be 37 stations on the entire 40 km route which will pass through important city points like Behala, Khidirpore, Espalanade, Sealdah, Panihati and Barrackpore. At the initial stage, four-coach air-conditioned train will carry 120,00 passengers on daily basis. After that, the capacity will be increased up to 480,00 passengers daily. SREI, which is expected to start the construction work by 2010, will submit the detailed project report by September this year.