Guwahati: Assam Government is planning to introduce a cable car service in Guwahati city, while, a fresh survey is being conducted for the introduction of the metro rail service. Moreover, an integrated traffic management system will be put in place to ensure the free movement of traffic.

Ashok Singhal said that introduction of cable car services would ease the traffic congestion in the city to a great extent. He said that the idea is to facilitate transportation of at least 50,000 commuters a day by cable cars. The WAPCOS, a Government of India enterprise, has the experience in carrying out surveys of different kinds of transportation projects not only in India but also abroad, has been entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out a detailed survey for the cable car project.

Singhal said that the Government is hopeful to mention the project by the end of this year. Replying to a question, Singhal asserted that the much-talked-about metro rail project has not been shelved. He said that the Government decided to go for the cable car project as it would not be possible to construct metro rail tracks on all the major roads of the city. "Some roads are too congested for construction of metro rail lines and the cable cars will be beneficial in those areas," he added.

Commenting on the present status of the metro rail project, the Minister said that though a survey for it was conducted some time back, the topography of Guwahati has changed over the years with the construction of new flyovers. Moreover, a new bridge is coming up over the river Brahmaputra. That is why, a new survey is required and the RITES, a Government of India enterprise, has been entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out a fresh survey, he added.

Meanwhile, to ensure the free flow of traffic, an integrated traffic management system is being put in place. Singhal said that 102 points in the city have been identified for putting up traffic signal points and all the points would be linked with the control room to regulate the flow of traffic. The Government. has already awarded the tender for the implementation of the project.

Singhal further said that the Government is procuring 100 electric buses and 100 buses which run on gas for the benefit of the commuters.