3 firms line up for mono rail

Three firms have evinced interest in the mono rail project aimed at providing transport solution to the city.

Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy reviewed the proposals submitted by the three firms here on Monday.

"We will hold discussions with representatives the three firms before finalising the project. We are committed to commence work on the project by August 15," he told reporters here.

He pointed out that the mono rail will act as a feeder line to the proposed Rs 6,600 crore metro rail project. "The mono rail project will in no way interfere with the metro rail route alignment. The mono rail project will be brought under the ambit of the metro rail to ensure that the transport system is streamlined," he added.

Kumaraswamy said that the promoters of mono rail had sought neither private land nor financial assistance to implement the project.

"They will put up the infrastructure on their own on government land. They will also manage the transport system. The government is not being burdened in any way. The mono rail will supplement the efforts of the metro rail project in providing quick and easy transportation system for the residents of the city," he added.

Last week, the government had announced the implementation of the mono rail project. The pilot project will connect Gandhinagar to Kanakapura Road covering a length of 18 km.

The work is expected to be completed by August 2007. Depending on the response from commuters, the mono rail network will be expanded to 95 km over a period of time.