Kolkata, September 19 (Udaipur Kiran) : Kolkata’s push for a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) has gained momentum, with Rajya Sabha member Soumik Bhattacharya writing to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, requesting the initiation of the network in South Bengal.
In his letter, Bhattacharya proposed an RRTS network that would connect Kolkata with key cities including Krishnanagar, Durgapur, Asansol, Diamond Harbour, and Kharagpur. He emphasized that urban development in West Bengal remains heavily focused on Kolkata, while cities like Durgapur, Asansol, Kharagpur, Krishnanagar, and Haldia are emerging as significant industrial, educational, port, and tourism hubs. Current transportation options, reliant on traditional rail and road, are insufficient for facilitating smooth and swift commutes due to congestion.
Bhattacharya pointed out that an RRTS network, akin to the NCRTC’s Namo Bharat Corridor, could address these challenges by providing high-speed regional connectivity similar to metro systems. Along with his letter, he submitted an initial feasibility report prepared by transit researchers Sourdeep Sarkar and Aardri Roy Chowdhury, which outlines the proposed RRTS for West Bengal.
The report suggests establishing four corridors centered around Kolkata as a hub: the first spanning 135 km to connect Kalyani, Krishnanagar, and Mayapur; the second extending 232 km to link Bardhaman, Durgapur, and Asansol, incorporating the Asansol metro; the third covering 102 km to connect Falta, Diamond Harbour, and Haldia, which includes a metro line from Maidan to Buj Buj; and the fourth reaching 135 km to connect Santragachhi, Kolaghat, Kharagpur, and Medinipur.
Additionally, a separate metro system for Durgapur and Asansol has been proposed. The design aims to minimize land acquisition by aligning the corridors with existing highways and railway lines. The report also recommends creating a special purpose vehicle named West Bengal Rapid Transit Corporation (WBRTC), jointly owned by the central and state governments.
Bhattacharya has urged the ministry to evaluate the proposal and, if deemed appropriate, to collaborate with the West Bengal government for a detailed feasibility study covering engineering, demand forecasting, and financial analysis. He expressed willingness to facilitate meetings with the report’s authors if necessary.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.