I think the posts by Averthan D'souza are really unfortunate.
When there is no development, we Goans cry foul and when the Government makes
an effort people immediately raise a stink.
The Goa Govt has called for a global expression of interest for an Mass Rapid
Transit System (MRTS) system and not a monorail only, which means any one can
apply including skybus, metro, LRT or anyone else.
But let me clear some doubts about the monorail which Mr Averthan is not aware.
Monorails operate in most parts of the world. Japan has monorails operating as
Mass Transit networks in 11 cities including Tokyo and Osaka. Kuala Lumpur has
installed a beautiful monorail system and Chonqing in China has opened a high
capacity system to carry over 7 lakh passengers per day! Now if this is not
high capacity what is?
As for safety, Monorails are the most safe mass transit systems in the world
with no operating fatalities in over 100 years of monorail operation.
The govt has only decided to call for expression of interest and now many
companies will surely apply and the cheapest and best will get this project.
BOOT means the shortlisted companies will do their own feasibility studies as
they are investing the money and would want to make sure the project is viable
rather that depending on a govt study which they might not agree with,
remember they are investing and it is not a tender where GoG is spending.
This i am sure will lead to employment for thousands of us Goans and increase
in business and include Goa on the world Map in a positive way.
We should all welcome this proposal and send suggestions on routes etc so that
we all can benifit from this wonderful project.
