Govt of India issues standards for light urban metro rail 'Metrolite' system

New Delhi (Urban Transport News): The central government has proposes to run a light urban metro rail 'Metrolite' for small towns of various states. These trains will be run in places where the density of people is not high. These trains will have three coaches and the speed will not be more than 25 kilometers per hour. This train will run along the ground as well as above the pillars. It will also work as a metro feeder system, and its cost is less compared to the metro rail system.

To implement the 'Metrolite' system in smaller cities, the Center will provide financial assistance to the states. The Union Urban and Housing Ministry has issued standards regarding light urban metro rail 'Metrolite' system. According to the ministry, the Metro Rail system is being developed for the big cities where travelling of more people needed.  Before common poll elections, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) had promised to expand the Metro in 50 cities in its election manifesto.

It will be different route from road

Metrolite will have its own separate route from the traffic on the road which will not be affected by its speed. To prevent from accidents, fencing will also be installed on both sides where necessary. This train will run on both the ground and the pillars, but permission to run a train on the pillar will be allowed only if it is not possible to run on the ground. The most special thing is that only 2.2 meters of space will be needed in the middle of the road to construct the train pillars.

It will able to carry 300 passengers at a time

There will be three coaches in this train. Which will be connected to each other. The height of these low floor coaches will be 300 to 350 mm. While the length of a coach will be around 33 meters. A three-coach Metrolite can carry up to 300 passengers at a time. Coaches will be made of stainless steel or aluminum.

Tickets will be available inside the train

Shaded platforms will be created for the Metrolite system. Although there will be no AFC Gate (Automatic Fair Collection System), platform screen door, X-ray and baggage scanner. Ticket inspector or National Common Mobility Card (system like NCMC-One Nation One card) is being considered for setting up for the Metrolite. According to the standards issued by the Ministry, a passenger will be fined with a heavy cost, if gets caught without any ticket during the investigation.