New Metro Rail policy released focusing on compact urban development

New Delhi, September 17: The fewer people use personalized vehicles in a city more the city becomes pollution free. Hence focusing on minimising the use of personal motorized transport, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has released the new Metro Policy for expanding the metro network. The new policy seeks to fulfill the desire of metro rail of a large number of cities but in a responsible manner.

He expressed his concern over poor public transport infrastructure in cities. He emphasized the need for integration among all modes of transport in all the cities across India. Integrated transport planning will lead to compact and dense urban development.

Citing the example of Delhi, he said it is difficult to imagine Delhi without Metro Rail which is now carrying about 30 lakh passengers every day. He spoke about these observations national in dissemination workshop on new Metro Rail Policy.

The new Metro Policy empowers States to make rules and regulations and set up permanent Fare Fixation Authority for timely revision of fares. It also makes Public Private Partnership component mandatory for availing central assistance for new metro projects.