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Speaking during the inauguration, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said the plan for the LRTS in Kolkata had been finalised and it would provide a great impetus to the infrastructure of the state.
“The SREI group has been engaged for the project, which is going to make use of Czech technology. The LRTS track will run from Joka to Panihati, and may be extended till Barrackpore. It will follow the tram track and pass through key areas like Behala, Dalhousie and Shyambazar,” Deb said.
According to Deb, the state urban development ministry has already sent a proposal to the Centre for financing 20 per cent of the Rs 3000-crore project under the JNNURM scheme.
“The Central government is asking for a total mobility plan for the city’s transportation system and we have engaged Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) for the task. A presentation regarding the same will be made before the Central government in February,” he added.
According to government officials, the detailed project report is ready and tenders will be invited for the project once the funds are sanctioned from the Centre.
Regarding the east-west metro corridor that is being planned from Salt Lake to Howrah station, Deb said the loan agreement for the project was likely to be signed in March, after which work was likely to begin in December.
