HT Correspondent
Varanasi, February 19
SENIOR CHIEF engineer at Linear Promoting Division of Japan Subway Association Masahira Ando said that the cities of 21st century would belong to ‘linear metro’.
He was addressing an interaction session on ‘Linear induction motor activities’ at the Institute of Technology in Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU) here on Monday. Electrical engineering department of IT-BHU had organised this programme.
Ando said linear metro was a type of railway which used a non-adhesive drive system to drive railcars while supporting and guiding them by the combination of steel wheels and steel rails.
He further said linear metro system was better than conventional metro system in various ways as it provided, “flexible route planning, reduced construction cost and comfortable urban transportation and comfort to passengers”.
He said linear metro used limited space more effectively and thus reduced construction cost.
Speaking on the importance of linear metro and its relevance vis-a-vis India, Ando said, “This type of metro system would be ideal for urban transportation in India.”
He also threw light on the linear metro system established at Osaka, Tokyo, Kobe, Fukuoka and Sendai in Japan and said it was fast becoming the favourite public transport option for the Japanese.
Dr Vijay Kumar Jaitya of Funakawa Information and Environment Technology Company Limited (Tokyo) also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Prof SN Mahendra delivered a lecture on ‘Transporation System for Varanasi.’ Prof Mahendra said the underground transporation system could solve the traffic jam and pollution more effectively in the city. Rector of BHU, Prof S Lele and director of IT-BHU, Prof SN Upadhyay were also present on the occasion.