Hubli-Dharwad electric rapid rransit project, agreement with European institutions

Bengaluru

 The government is planning to launch an electric rapid transit project Electric Rapid Transit (e-RT) on a pilot basis between Hubli and Dharwad. Similarly, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with HESS AG, HESS INDIA and SSB AG in this regard.

 Ministers, senior officials and company representatives were present at the meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his Kaveri residence.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) within three months for the implementation of the Hubli-Dharwad electric rapid transit project. If the project is successful in Hubli-Dharwad, it can be extended to other tier-two cities in the state, the Chief Minister said.

 Rapid transit is a fully electric system that will run on elevated roads and other surfaces in the city. It can carry 250 people at a time. A feasibility study has been conducted for the project for the past one year. Representatives of the organizations informed that this metro-style transportation system is being successfully implemented in many European countries.

 Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Labour Minister Santosh Lad, Social Welfare Minister Mahadevappa, Advocate General Shashikaran Shetty, Chief Secretary to the Government Shalini Rajneesh, Susan Van Suri of HESS AG, Burak Senasar, Director of SSB and others were present.

 Labour Minister Santosh Lad had gone to Switzerland to study the experimental success of the project. The minister had explained the feasibility of the proposed project to the Chief Minister.

Minister Santosh Lad visited France in December last year and visited and inspected the HESS LighTram manufacturing unit there. He also traveled in the electric vehicles there. In December, Minister Lad posted on his X account that he intends to provide this type of transport system to Hubli-Dharwad passengers.