Noida mulls water transport to ease traffic and air pollution

NOIDA: With the intention to offer water transport facility, the Noida Authority has plan to run 'water metro' on Hindon River. Under the project, boats will be run. This will help in cutting down the travel time, especially for those who want to travel from Noida Extension to Delhi via Mayur Vihar. "Presently, for instance, it takes nearly one hour to reach from Mayur Vihar to Noida Extension but with boat, the travel time cut down 45 minutes to 15 minutes. This will also off load traffic from roads," said a senior official.

On explaining the details, Noida and Greater Noida industrial development authorities chairman Rama Raman said that twin authorities mobility plan is chalked out in a way that it can cater the city residents for the next two three decades. Keeping that in mind encouraging transportation thorough water is vital option. "Our team is exploring on the project and soon necessary steps to take off the project will take place," he said.

Nearly 20km stretch of Hindon river falls in Gautambudh Nagar. The Authority, initially, has plan to start this service on Hindon river.

Raman said that Noida is surrounded by rivers. "We, at Noida Authority is converts obstacles into opportunities. Many times people said that its' bad for Noida as it surrounded by rivers but we are converting it into opportunity by using these rivers as mode of transport," Raman added that Noida has an old history to travel on water. "Before experiencing revolution of development, Noida was a city of water. Even locals say that Atta villagers (now known as Atta market, near upscale Sector 18 market) used to carry boats in their residences as there houses used to flood with water and they used to travel thorough boats to safe zones," Raman added that transportation thorough water will cut travel time, eco friendly, reduce pollution and off load traffic from city roads.

Deputy CEO of Noida Authority, Saumya Srivastav said, "We are already working on Hindon riverfront development. With the development of Hindon river, we will start eco-friendly boats for transportation. Presently it takes time to reach Delhi from Noida Extension or Greater Noida due to heavy traffic. The boat will cut travel time. At the ending point we will offer feeder vehicles to reach nearest metro station."

Srivastav said, if presently steps to deal future problems are not taken then it will paint a horrific picture. "Presently Crossing Repulik is not total populated and a few families have shifted to Noida Extension, where nearly two lakh units are proposed. Noida-Greater Noida Expressway is also experiencing massive housing projects. Once people will shift these units, it will create massive traffic jam on the city roads. To deal the problem travel by water is one of the best option," he added.

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