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Rapid transit system to be a reality soon
Deputy Chief Minister lays foundation stone of a project
Amritsar, December 12
The much-awaited personal rapid transit (PRT) system in the holy city is inching towards the reality. Laying the foundation stone of magnetic pod system today, the deputy CM said the project would be completed in 18 months and would place Amritsar on the global tourist map.

Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal (centre) along with Balwant Singh Ramoowalia (right) and MP Navjot Singh Sidhu (left) at a rally in Tarn Taran on Sunday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

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	Poachers fire at wildlife team in Mehngrowal December 12, 2011
	Jumbo controversy: Experts conduct DNA test on circus elephant December 11, 2011
	Mukerian MC EO transferred December 10, 2011
	CM lays two stones for bridge over Beas December 9, 2011
	Draftsmen gherao minister’s residence December 8, 2011
	Farmers, labourers block traffic December 7, 2011
	Undertrials 'thrashed' in jail December 6, 2011
	Girl, 2 others booked for ‘killing’ Dalit youth December 5, 2011
	Polio threat: Proximity to Pakistan puts Amritsar in high risk zone December 4, 2011
	Pakistan traders for MFN status to India December 3, 2011

Three booked for abetment to suicide
Hoshiarpur, December 12
Sadar police has booked Balwinder Singh, his wife Chhindo and daughter Baljit Kaur of Chhoni Kalan under Section 306 of the IPC in an abetment to suicide case. According to the police sources, deceased Nima Singh’s mother Harbans Kaur stated that her son fell in love with Baljit Kaur and married her. Baljit’s parents were against this marriage.

Rapid transit system to be a reality soon
Deputy Chief Minister lays foundation stone of a project
GS Paul
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 12
The much-awaited personal rapid transit (PRT) system in the holy city is inching towards the reality. Laying the foundation stone of magnetic pod system today, the deputy CM said the project would be completed in 18 months and would place Amritsar on the global tourist map.

“This self-driven mode of transport would relieve the commuters from traffic snarls and would cater to around 75,000 pilgrims on daily basis. The Hall Gate would be the main station from where the passengers would board and exit the pods. This would make Hall Bazaar the most wanted destination for the tourists to shop,” he said.

The authorities here have identified seven locations for establishing PRT stations. The seven stations would be Gol Bagh Railway Station, Deen Dayal market, Kairon market, Galliara parking, the Golden Temple, Bus Stand and Mahan Singh Chowk.

Taking the Golden Temple as epicentre, as many as 90 laser-guided pods would run on the elevated track between the Sikh holy shrine, the Railway Station and Bus stand.

This part of the project would be completed within a span of one-and-half years.

ULTra-Fairwood proposes to implement the project on a build operate transfer (BOT) basis so that the state government do not have to make any financial investments.

What is PRT System

The ULTra (Urban Light Transport) PRT System is a driverless laser-guided vehicle with a central control system known as magnetic pod. This vehicle usually has four to six seats and uses rubber wheels and runs on an elevated guide way. It has been developed by a firm named ULTra.

A pod will weigh about 800 kg with a cargo capacity of 500 kg and will run at a maximum speed of 40 km/hour on a 20-foot high track. Among other features, it will be air-conditioned and will have bi-parting doors on both sides.

How it is operated

To operate a pod a commuter will swipe a card, punch in destination, after which the pod will select the most economical route.

PRT pods will bypass all stations en route to the desired destination, thereby reducing travel time.

Special lifts and escalators will also be installed.

Three booked for abetment to suicide

Hoshiarpur, December 12
Sadar police has booked Balwinder Singh, his wife Chhindo and daughter Baljit Kaur of Chhoni Kalan under Section 306 of the IPC in an abetment to suicide case. According to the police sources, deceased Nima Singh’s mother Harbans Kaur stated that her son fell in love with Baljit Kaur and married her. Baljit’s parents were against this marriage. She alleged that due to this reasons Baljit Kaur’s parents used to harass and torture Nima Singh.

Nima Singh went to the house of his in-laws at Chhoni Kalan on December 5 and his body was found in the local Civil Hospital on December 10. She said regular torture had compelled her son to consume poison. SHO of Sadar police station Ravinder Singh told The Tribune that no arrest had been made so far. — OC