North News
New Delhi, December 20
India is on track to have the second-largest metro network in the world, with 993 kilometers of metro rail already operational across 23 cities, and an additional 997 kilometers under construction in 28 cities, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Manohar said. Speaking to the consultative committee members of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the minister highlighted urban mobility as a key factor in addressing the growing urban population. The government is committed to strengthening the country’s Urban Transport Network, he emphasized.
The meeting covered the details of the Metro Rail Policy 2017, as well as the metro networks in cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, Patna, and Lucknow. Members were also briefed on the ongoing Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) projects, including their funding models. The session focused on promoting indigenization of technologies under the Make in India initiative and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat program.
A notable part of the discussion was the “PM-eBus Sewa” scheme, aimed at enhancing city bus operations with the deployment of 10,000 electric buses through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Key features of the scheme include:
- Deployment of 10,000 e-buses
- Bus operations support for 10 years
- Support for developing and upgrading bus depots
- Assistance for behind-the-meter power infrastructure
- Coverage for cities with populations ranging from 3 to 40 lakh
The meeting also covered the “One Nation One Card,” the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2019, which allows seamless travel across Metro, Rail, Bus, and other public transport systems.
During the session, MPs raised concerns regarding last-mile connectivity, amenities enhancement, metro expansion in their constituencies, and improving passenger comfort and ease of travel. The minister instructed officials to review and address the suggestions put forth by the members.
