Himachal Pradesh Government is mulling alternate mode of transport to decongest heavy traffic in State capital Shimla and Dharamshala. The feasibility report to set up Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) pods in above towns has been prepared.
Presiding over a review meeting of Town and Country Planning, HIMUDA & Urban Development here on Thursday, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that apart from providing rapid and personal taxi service it would be a centre of tourist attraction.
"PRT was a latest green solution in alternate transportation sector which requires only 2.1 meters track in comparison to 10 meters track required for Mono Rail.
Automated PODS was a 4-6 seaters battery powered driverless vehicle which runs on elevated guide way. It could be customized and easy to install as most of the structures are pre-fabricated.
This modern PRT system was successfully operating in Heathrow Airport in london," he said.
The Chief Minister said that Urban Mobility Transport Authority (UMTA) would be established in Himachal Pradesh to enable alternate modes of urban public transport such as PRT and Rope ways etc.
"An Act was being framed in this regard as it would help in decongestion of urban areas that were popular tourist destinations and would cater to urban transport needs of cities and towns," Virbhadra Singh said.
He said Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act 2013 was being finalized by amalgamating the HP Apartment & Property Regulation Act, 2005 and HP Town and Country Planning Act, 1977.
The Himachal Pradesh Regularization of Deviation and Unauthorized Construction Act, 2013 was also being drafted to regularize the deviation and
unauthorized constructions in the State for a specific time. Stringent action including criminal punishment would be incorporated to make it more deterrent for future, he added.