Mumbai:
India's first monorail was test-driven in Mumbai on Republic Day.
The 100-metre stretch between Wadala and Bhakti Park Complex was covered by a coach driven by engineers working on the project.
By 2011, the entire 20-kilometre line will help link parts of Mumbai that currently have little public transport. The cost: Rs 2,500 crores.
By November this year, a 9-kilometre elevated track will connect Wadala and Chembur. Another 11-kilometre stretch from Saat Rasta to Wadala is expected by mid-2011.
"It is expected to ease travel for about 3 lakh passengers per day. I'm very excited about it," says Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who officiated the ceremony for the trial run.
For the faster and air-conditioned ride offered by the monorail, passengers will pay a minimum of Rs 8. The cheapest bus ride currently costs Rs 3.
Each monorail can carry 500 passengers. It will run on a dedicated track at 32 kilometres per hour. Each line will have a station at every kilometre.
Commuters who watched the trial run say they're excited by what the future offers. But many of Mumbai's big infrastructure projects are running late - so passengers worry that the monorail too will be behind schedule.
The 100-metre stretch between Wadala and Bhakti Park Complex was covered by a coach driven by engineers working on the project.
By 2011, the entire 20-kilometre line will help link parts of Mumbai that currently have little public transport. The cost: Rs 2,500 crores.
By November this year, a 9-kilometre elevated track will connect Wadala and Chembur. Another 11-kilometre stretch from Saat Rasta to Wadala is expected by mid-2011.
"It is expected to ease travel for about 3 lakh passengers per day. I'm very excited about it," says Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who officiated the ceremony for the trial run.
For the faster and air-conditioned ride offered by the monorail, passengers will pay a minimum of Rs 8. The cheapest bus ride currently costs Rs 3.
Each monorail can carry 500 passengers. It will run on a dedicated track at 32 kilometres per hour. Each line will have a station at every kilometre.
Commuters who watched the trial run say they're excited by what the future offers. But many of Mumbai's big infrastructure projects are running late - so passengers worry that the monorail too will be behind schedule.
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