2019 – Posted in: Daily News – Tags: Light rail, Monorail, Suburban rail, Tram, Urban rail transit

LIGHT URBAN RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM – ‘METROLITE’

For: Preliminary

Topics covered: Features and Highlights of ‘Metrolite’, Urban rail transit, Suburban rail, Monorail, Light rail, Tram

The Central government has proposed a light urban rail transit system – ‘Metrolite’ – in small cities and towns.

The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has issued standard specifications of the ‘Metrolite’ system.
The system will be developed on surface and elevated stretches.
It can be developed at a lower cost in comparison with existing metro system.
It will act as feeder system to high capacity Metro.
The train will have capacity of carrying 300 passengers.
The ‘Metrolite’ system will have a dedicated path separating the road traffic with it.
For segregation with road traffic, fencing can be provided on either side of network.
The ‘Metrolite’ system will have shelter platforms.
Metrolite platforms will not have AFC gates, platform screen doors, X-ray and baggage scanner.
Ticket validators could be installed inside the Metrolite train and shelter with NCMC /other ticketing systems.
Elevated Metrolite system will be planned only when At-Grade system (surface) is not possible.
Road space occupied at the median shall be maximum 2.2 m for piers.
The ‘Metrolite’ train will comprise three non-separable coaches with low floor height of about 300-350 mm.
The car structure material will be stainless steel or aluminium.
The maximum operational speed of the Metrolite is 60 KMPH.

It is an all-encompassing term for various types of local rail systems providing passenger service within and around urban or suburban areas.
Urban rail transit in India consists of suburban rail, rapid transit, monorail, light rail, and tram systems.
The first rapid transit system in India is the Kolkata Metro, which started operations in 1984.
The Delhi Metro has the largest network in the entire country.
In 2006, the National Urban Transport Policy proposed the construction of a metro rail system in every city with a population of 20 lakh.
The subject of Railways is in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, giving Parliament the exclusive power to enact legislation concerning it.

These services are operated by Indian Railways.
Suburban rail is a rail service between a central business district and the suburbs, a conurbation or other locations that draw large numbers of people on a daily basis.

The Mumbai Monorail, which opened on 2 February 2014, is the first operational monorail system used for rapid transit in independent India.

Light rail or light rail transit (LRT) is a form of urban rail transit using rolling stock similar to a tramway, but operating at a higher capacity, and often on an exclusive right-of-way.
Two light rail projects have been proposed respectively in Delhi and Kolkata.

In addition to trains, trams were introduced in many cities in late 19th century, though almost all of these were phased out.
The Trams in Kolkata is currently the only tram system in the country.

You can follow us on LinkedIn and on Instagram (Diligent IAS) for more updates related to IAS Preparation/ Study Material, Subscribe to our Facebook Page and Youtube Channel- Diligent IAS