Visakhapatnam: GVMC officials inspected the Pendurthi junction stretch in Visakhapatnam to assess the proposed implementation of the e-RT (electric rapid transit) system. The civic body is planning to introduce the system between Pendurthi Junction and Convent Junction to address rising traffic congestion and strengthen public transport on the existing BRTS (bus rapid transit system) corridor. Representatives of Switzerland-based HESS Green Mobility India Private Limited also participated in the inspection.
Although GVMC had earlier developed BRTS corridors in different parts of the city, these stretches have not been used exclusively for buses. Officials discussed measures to utilise the corridor more effectively through the proposed e-RT system, which is expected to ease congestion and improve traffic regulation in the busy stretch.
Officials said the e-RT system would help reduce traffic congestion, minimise dependence on private vehicles and control pollution. Speaking on the occasion, GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg said the objective is to provide citizens with a road-based public transport system offering metro-like facilities. He said the e-RT system would enable electric buses to operate in dedicated corridors in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Representatives of HESS explained the features of the e-RT system, stating that the high-capacity electric buses can carry more than 240 passengers at a time and operate for nearly 23 hours a day. They added that HESS has over 140 years of engineering expertise and that the e-RT system is already functioning successfully in several European countries and Australia.
The inspection was carried out along with GVMC chief engineer PV Satyanarayana Raju, chief city planner A. Prabhakar Rao, additional commissioner of police (traffic) K Praveen Kumar, Pendurthi mandal revenue officer Venkata Ramana, and others.
