The Hindu Business Line : Konkan Rly hopes to get certification for Sky Bus soon

Addressing the members of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Mangalore on Thursday, Dr K.K. Gokhale, Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL), said that test track for Sky Bus system is already commissioned in Goa. "The certification of that will have to be done by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, and that will be completed in the next six months. That is our target," he said.

He said detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared for Sky Bus system in Hyderabad, Pune and Mumbai, and letter of intent has been signed for Kolkota.

Terming Sky Bus a more stable system, he said the KRCL would licence the technology and supervise its implementation.

Participating in the discussion, Mr Yogish Bhat, Mangalore MLA, said the Karnataka Government has been asked to release Rs 1 crore for the DPR on the implementation of Sky Bus system in Mangalore, and the Karnataka Finance Minister, Mr B.S. Yediyurappa, has agreed to look into the matter.

Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which will meet on Friday, will come out with a resolution urging the Government to order for a DPR on Sky Bus implementation in Mangalore, he said.

KCCI has prepared a route map from Ammembal to Haleyangadi in Mangalore. The 28-km stretch will cover major centres in Mangalore. The proposal envisages connecting the proposed IT SEZ (information technology special economic zone) and the multi-product Mangalore SEZ, he added.