Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro), which was tasked with finding an optimal mass rapid transit solution for Nashik, has come out with a new concept system called ‘Metro Neo’, which would possibly also be suitable to meet the requirements of other Tier II/III cities, reports Rail Analysis.
The major issues with implementing a modern metro system for smaller towns like Nashik are that firstly, such projects require a high amount of funding, and secondly, the ridership numbers remain low, making the projects unviable over the long term.
A feasibility study of Metro Neo has already been conducted by Maha Metro, and the same has been submitted to relevant authorities; it is likely that by the end of this month (July 2019), a detailed project report (DPR) will also be finalised.
The Metro-Neo concept video can be viewed below:
The plan envisions three AC coaches transporting 200-300 passengers at a time over an elevated corridor. The metro-neo system will be have zero carbon emissions and will be several times cheaper than a traditional metro rail system on a per kilometre basis.