Kolkata, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : The call for a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) network in West Bengal is gaining momentum. Samik Bhattacharya, a member of the Rajya Sabha, has written to the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, requesting the initiation of an RRTS in South Bengal.
In his letter, Bhattacharya proposed a network connecting Kolkata to key regions including Kalayani-Krishnanagar-Mayapur, Durgapur-Asansol, Diamond Harbour-Haldia, and Kharagpur-Medinipur. He pointed out that urban development in West Bengal remains heavily focused on Kolkata, while cities like Durgapur, Asansol, Kharagpur, Krishnanagar, and Haldia have emerged as significant industrial, educational, port, and tourism hubs. Currently, travel between these cities relies on conventional rail and road transport, which is inadequate for efficient and speedy commutes due to congestion.
Bhattacharya emphasized that an RRTS network, similar to the NCRTC’s Namo Bharat Corridor, could address these challenges by providing high-speed regional connectivity akin to metro systems. Along with his letter, he submitted a preliminary feasibility report prepared by transit researchers Sourdeep Sarkar and Ardrhi Roy Chaudhary, which outlines the proposed RRTS for West Bengal.
The report suggests establishing four corridors with Kolkata’s Maidan as a central hub. The first corridor would extend 135 km to Kalayani, Krishnanagar, and Mayapur. The second would cover 232 km to Bardhaman, Durgapur, and Asansol, incorporating the Asansol Metro. The third would connect Falta, Diamond Harbour, and Haldia over 102 km, including a metro line from Maidan to Bhowanipore. The fourth corridor would reach Santaraghachi, Kolaghat, Kharagpur, and Medinipur over 135 km. Additionally, a separate metro system for Durgapur and Asansol is also proposed.
The design of the proposal aims to minimize land acquisition by aligning the corridors with existing highways and railway lines. The report recommends creating a special purpose vehicle named West Bengal Rapid Transit Corporation (WBRTC), which would be jointly owned by the central and state governments.
Bhattacharya has urged the ministry to evaluate this proposal and, if deemed suitable, to collaborate with the West Bengal government on a comprehensive feasibility study covering engineering, demand forecasting, and financial analysis. He also offered to facilitate meetings with the report’s authors if necessary.
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