Margao (Goa): In a paradigm shift in providing financially viable futuristic urban transport system, Konkan Railway has developed a new technology for faster and safer train journey without the ill-effects of previous generation elevated and underground metros.

The new technological solution - the Sky Bus Metro – is based on the concept of Sky Wheels presented in 1989 at World Congress for Railway Research, says Konkan Railway Managing Director B Rajaram.

"This innovative alternative transportation solution which was inaugurated by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar in Goa on October 15 completely eliminates any possibility of vandalism, accident and is virtually maintenance-free," he told a group of reporters from Delhi.

On the inaugural day in the presence of three other Union Ministers - Minister of State for Railways Basangauda R Patil, Minister for Urban Development Bandaru Dattatraya and Minister of State for Finance Sripad Naik - Goa Governor K N Sahni and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Kumar came out in open support for the new technology.

He also supported the proposal mooted by Parrikar for a joint venture with the Ministry of Railways to run the Sky Bus system on the cost and profit-sharing basis.

"I fully support the proposal mooted by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for a joint venture to fructify the world's first Sky Bus technology launched by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd," the Railway Minister said, adding he has directed Railway Board to study the proposal keeping all the aspects including safety and security of passengers in mind.

PTI