Next-Generation Mobility: Hubballi-Dharwad Twin Cities To Embrace India's First Light Rail Transit

The Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities in Karnataka are on track to become the first city in the country to have a Light Rail Transit (LRT) alongside the existing Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) if all goes according to plan.

In order to accommodate the growing population of the twin cities, the government has been actively promoting the public transit system as a means to alleviate the pressure of private vehicles on the roads.

According to Dharwad district in-charge Minister Santosh Lad, initial planning for the LRT is already underway.

He said that Light Rail Transit (LRT) will help to reduce the use of private vehicles.

The proposal is expected to be completed within the next four weeks, with the intention of implementing the project through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. If everything goes as planned, the LRT project could be realised within a year and a half, added Santosh Lad.

In order to accommodate the rail movement of the LRT, a small ramp will be required. Fortunately, there is available space within the existing dedicated corridor of the BRTS that can be utilised for the LRT.

Once the feasibility study is completed, the government will proceed with the project using the PPP model. The LRT will serve as an additional transportation system, complementing the existing BRTS.

“This is in the initial stages and I am not against the BRTS project. The BRTS will not be stopped when LRT is implemented. In the next 10 years, Hubballi-Dharwad will get a huge scope and it is the next option for people and industries after Bengaluru. Therefore, we have to think to develop the twin cities keeping the next 10-20 years in mind and plan according to that,” said Lad, reports Deccan Herald.

Before the implementation of the BRTS project in Hubballi-Dharwad, the residents and various organisations had advocated for a Metro or Monorail system nearly a decade ago.

However, due to the relatively smaller population and the assessment by agencies that deemed a Metro or Monorail project financially unviable and requiring substantial investment, the government opted for the BRTS project, which has been successfully operational.

The plans put forth by the minister regarding the development of public transportation have been well-received by the residents of Hubballi-Dharwad. As the twin cities continue to experience significant growth, there is a pressing need to promote and enhance public transportation systems.

The support from the community further underscores the importance of prioritising efficient and accessible means of transportation in these evolving urban areas.