The system is expected to reduce dependence on individual private vehicles COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu Governor S.S. Barnala's address to the Legislative Assembly on Friday, outlining the decision of the State Government to study introduction of the mono rail system in Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchi, has revived the hopes of Coimbatore for a solution to the problems faced by it in public transport. Coimbatore, the second largest city in the State, accounts for a district population of 34,72,578, contributing to 4.81 per cent of the State's population. Coimbatore has a population density of 748 persons per sq km. As in the case of any growing city, Coimbatore is no exception to the problems in public transport. Within urban areas, the only mode of transport is by road. The city managers mooted and contemplated on many solutions to ease the city's traffic. Many suggestions like the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), Metro Rail, Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) and Circular Rail were put forth. While the cost factor spoiled the prospects of BRTS, not much effort went into MRTS. The Metro Rail is not suitable for Coimbatore as it is a radial city and not linear like Mumbai. For a radial city like Coimbatore, circular rail could bring the desired benefits, as pointed out by the consultants for the implementation of the Jawarhalal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Given the growing vehicular population and lack of proportionate road space, city is desperately looking for an alternative transportation mode, as roads were getting congested fast. A former IIT professor and who was till recently in the Technical Advisory Committee for implementation of the JNNURM, S.P. Palanisamy said that the mono rail will certainly complement the efforts to decongest the city provided the agency has the required funds and the technical know-how. The mono rail is expected to reduce dependence on individual private vehicles and thereby reduce their numbers on the roads. Mono rail is not a new technology and was implemented in Tokyo several years ago, Mr. S.P. Palanisamy pointed out. The project needs to be implemented on the right corridors to reap the desired benefits. Bus Rapid Transit System on Avanashi Road, Tiruchi Road and Mettupalayam Road, on a hub and spokes model, was already mooted in 2007. However, the civic body had expressed its inability to take up the project considering the huge cost involved and the share that the local body would have to shell out i.e., 30 per cent of the project cost under the JNNURM programme. After four years now, the cost of the same project has gone up by 40 per cent. Vice-President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry R.R. Balasundharam said that the announcement on mono rail for the city is welcome. Coimbatore badly needs such transport systems for catering to the growing needs of the city. It would also help in accelerating the growth of the economy, he added