Metro Lite and Metro Neo projects to ease in Mobility Problems in four States

The standard specifications of Light Urban Rail Transit System named “MetroLite” and rubber-tyred electric coach powered by overhead traction system running on a road slab with an exclusive right of way named “MetroNeo”, suitable for smaller cities or areas of cities with less projection of ridership were issued in July, 2019 and November, 2020 respectively. 

• MetroLite and MetroNeo are the low cost mobility solutions with reduced system requirements and same experience, ease of travel in terms of comfort, convenience, affordability, safety, punctuality, reliability and environment- friendliness as that of conventional metro rail system. 
• The low capital cost of these new transit modes than that of high capacity metro rail is due to light civil structure, lesser axle load, smaller stations, low power rated electrical equipment, low operation and maintenance cost etc. 
• These systems can also be used as feeder system to conventional metro rail.
• Urban transport, which is an integral part of urban development, is a state subject.
• Hence, respective State Government/ Union Territories (UTs) is responsible for initiating and developing urban transport infrastructure including rail based mass transit modes viz. Metro Rail/MetroLite/MetroNeo/Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) etc.   
• As per Metro Rail Policy-2017, the Central Government considers financial assistance for such projects in cities or urban agglomerates, based on feasibility of the proposal and availability of resources, as and when posed by the concerned State Government/ Union Territories (UTs). 
• The details of MetroLite and MetroNeo proposals received from various State Governments/Union Territories (UTs) for central financial assistance, State and City-wise, are as under:

• This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 02.12.2021.

About MetroNeo:

• MetroNeo is an articulated / bi-articulated trolley bus system with overhead electric traction. 
• The buses will be air conditioned with automatic door closing system, level boarding, comfortable seats, passenger announcement and information system with electronic display. 
• They run on elevated or at grade cement roads instead of standard gauge railway tracks like traditional metros.
• It is a state-of-art, comfortable, energy efficient, minimal noise pollution and environment friendly system. 
• It has been designed to negotiate sharp curves and steep gradients with minimal requirement of rehabilitation. 
• The system can be upgraded to light metro with incremental cost input in future as per traffic demand.

About MetroLite:

• The metrorail system being developed at present is of high capacity which is required for, bigger cities with very high ridership
• and Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT). Seeing the success of metro rail in the country, several other cities with lower projection of ridership areal so aspiring for rail based mass rapid transit system, which could be fulfilled by Light Urban Rail Transit System named “Metrolite” with lesser capacity at much less cost. 
• ‘Metrolite’ would also act as a feeder system to high capacity Metro. 
• In addition to less capital cost, the operation and maintenance cost of Metro lite would also be less making the system moreviable

Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): Maha Metro