daljitsingh

In Times of India dated December 6, 2010 , under the caption `NOD FOR POD`,the Chief Minister of Haryana expressed his desire to introduce Pod Cars as Taxi for public as Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) in Gurgaon in replace of Rikshaws , autos and local bus services and provide cheap ,driver less most modern and sophisticated imported transport system with a minimum fare of Rs. 10.The system is very cute , delicate,highly automatic running on guide ways, mono rail, or running on elevated grid track.The cost of the system to be opted( guide ways,mono rail, grid system like metro) may cost Rs. 5000 crore with 1100 Pods initially which is envisaged by the Government to ease traffic problem in Gurgaon.

I have the following apprehensions and technical and social considerations before implementing such a beautiful and delicate project. I would like that Government should first improve the city roads and infrastructure before jumping into another highly expensive sophisticate project.

1) PUBLIC CONCERNS/PARTICIPATION :This project requires social acceptability and community support , and public awareness has to be built up as the tracks, guide ways, or grid have to run along the high rise buildings and sectors and colonies very closely lauid by HUDA .The pods and taxis will create noise and disturbance in the residential areas. These Pod Cars/ are successful in the airports, commercial area and malls little away from the crowded residential areas in old Gurgaon .The Pod cars run from station to station and there is no stop in between and nor it will stop at will as it is automatically running with out driver with highly technical net work and centrally controlled from the control room.

2) COST VS BENEFIT: The capital cost and operating costs ,quantifiable benefits and intangible benefits have to be minutely studied. The PRT spets and consultants are having following
budgeting of capital and operating costs based Morgon Town (UK) 1975.

a) CAPITAL COST: $126 Million for 55 miles or $5Million to $15 million per mile less for single guide way and little less than double cost($9 to $28 ) for two way guide ways.For 105 KM long guide ways proposed for Gurgaon it will cost Rs.6150 crore approximately.

b) OPERATING COST: $ 0.94 per passenger mile i.e Rs 28per passenger per KM.which not affordable.

c) BATTERY POWER : 2KW continuous battery power for specific design.

d) STATIONS AND CONTROL ROOMS. Number of the station depend on the site requirement and cost will escalate on this factor.

3)CAPACITY :This factor is important as local transport feasibility data is not available to calculate the initial quantity of pod cars required which will be effecting initial capital cost.

4)WEATHER IMPACT/MITIGATION i.e. sun wind,rain,local area behavior and facilities/sources available to mitigate natural and human problems.

5)FUNDING: Financial arrangement with Own and/or Global resources or BOT/ PPP system which will be a strain on public.

6) CAPABILITY AND SHORT LISTING INDIAN VENDORS :Indian Vendors should be preferred to get the maximum components manufactured and procured to effect the cost instead of importing as the PRT Global consultants would insist on the vendors they have listed with them. Management, technical capability ,financial soundness,production and installation and operation and maintenance ability should be carefully assessed to get the project completed in time bound period.

I am sure the Haryana Government will give due attention to the points explained above.The existing infrastructure should be improved first . If the existing city and colony asphalt roads are improved and additional cycle and rikshaw and auto roads are made so that the traffic flow may be greatly improved and jams on the main city roads will reduce appreciably. At the same time provide slip roads on all vulnerable crossings in the city and residential areas. Storm water drains should be made along all major city and colony roads to enhance the life of the roads and thus incurring negligible maintenance cost of roads.Traffic is fast increasing every year and the people are preferring to use their own cars to commute to their offices. It has a very limited utility for daily commuters whose offices may not be covered in the route as the Pod stations are limited .

The senior citizens or house wives are happy to go to short distances on auto and rickshaws from their house to their destinations and it is economical as compared to fare of Pod cars for which long walking is involved to reach to the Pod station.

In my opinion the Pod Car project appears to be unproductive and non beneficial at present.This system should be provided as a part of the city planning at the initial stage before developing the residential area by the Government or by the private builders.This Pod cars should be considered as part of the services like providing water, electricity ,service roads,fire ,storm water drains, sewerage,and shopping area for the residents.The PRT should be planned on the drawing board itself by DTCP. am attaching the link www.youtube.com/watch to give you an idea of the working of the Pod Cars and the network involved in the system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PyUQuWmt2M

check out the link above