Amidst reports that the Coimbatore may have a metro transport system, Commissioner of Municipal administration has requested a team of German delegates to contribute to the Bus Rapid Transport System design.

At the Coimbatore chapter of the German India Round Table discussing ‘Coimbatore Smart City project’ Municipal Administration Commissioner G Prakash said, “If designed properly, BRTS will offer great relief in terms of traffic to the city. It will be single largest contribution, if BRTS could be designed by Indo-German Smart Initiative.’’ He also said urban mobility should be about moving people and not just about vehicles.

He said that though the Government was still having its options open about the Metro project, BRTS will suit the needs of mass rapid transportation system in the city. “BRTS is more cost-effective than a Metro. Also, Coimbatore’s population is just 1.8 million which means in long run the State Government will have to subsidise tickets.” If implemented, the BRTS system will operate on Avinashi Road, Mettupalayam Road and Sathyamangalam Road.

Prakash requested the German delegates to offer design support in areas like roads, liquid waste management, waste water recycling and storm water drains. The Municipal Corporation is confident about its solid waste management methods and it is even ready to offer advice to other countries. He also said a German laboratory, Fraunhofer, will be set up in Coimbatore as part of an MoU signed between India and Germany . “The lab, the first in South East Asia, will offer consultant services in big ticket investment projects also in other infrastructure projects.”

Corporation Commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan said lake rejuvenation was the primary focus and building smart roads another. He highlighted that all development projects needed to be done in eco–friendly manner.

Andreas Waldraff, Chairman of GIRT, Germany, Eva Walter, architect, Christina Gressser, engineer, and Marcus Jeutner, urban planner, were part of the German delegation who spoke about various redevelopment plans for the city.