New Delhi: Indian Railways is planning to build satellite terminals near some of the busiest junctions, aiming at reducing pressure on such stations.
"We are planning to develop some satellite terminals. Most of the urban areas are saturated now. It is impossible to reach to the station in busy areas. We can have satellite terminals outside busy railway stations," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said at a conference on US-India cooperation on smart transportation.
There are about 8,000 stations across the country out of which some of the most busiest stations like New Delhi, Delhi Junction, Howrah, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Lucknow, Chennai are
quite saturated now.
According to the plan, satellite terminals will be developed in the nearby cities to divert the rail as well as road traffic to ease pressure on these busy stations.
Mr Prabhu said the satellite stations could bring in much better development in the adjoining towns and also decongest the busy stations and cities automatically.
Seeking cooperation with the US on safety, managerial ability and technology, Mr Prabhu said "We will be very happy to collaborate and learn from the US in the rail sector. US is a great friend and partner of India. Probably, we have best relationship with President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We can move to a new level in this sector."
He further said, "We can not reach US through rail but certainly we can have exchange ideas with one another on technology. we can work together."
Emphasising on the importance safety, he said Railways is also planning to have an independent safety regulator with enhanced safety regulation.
"Safety is a key issue. We are also thinking of how to have a independent safety regulator. Safety is core area of concern for transportation including railways there also we are looking for close cooperation with the US."
Mr Prabhu also advocated integrated planning for transport management.
"There is a need for integrated planning for transport management. Integrated approach, road-rail integration, and inland waterways and railways can also be integrated. if we have proper integrated approach then it will be good for us."
He said for a smart city, smart transportation is required.
"Good transportation is crucial for smart city. Cities are reality and the question is how to make it smart."
On the transportation of water he said, "Water is coming from far away place. Water is essential and city cannot live without water. Delhi gets its water from Tehri, while Mumbai gets it from Nasik."
Referring to migration of people from rural areas to urban places, he said, if there is a smart transportation for people if would be easy for them to come to city for work and go back after the work.
"It is far cheaper to live in rural areas if we invest enough on smart transportation, many of other investments will be eliminated."