Lok Sabha Question No. 5444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Mass Rapid Transit System
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Girish Bhalchandra Bapat, Chandra Sekhar Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5444

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 25, 2019

## MASS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM

No. 5444.    SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT:

## SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a need to provide hassle-free travel facilities and last mile connectivity to commuters, especially for those travelling by metro and local rail networks and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether  the  Union  Government  has  prepared  electricity-based Mass  Rapid  Transit  System  (MRTS)  to  ease  congestion  on  city roads across the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  capital  cost  of  MRTS  is  cheaper  than  the  metro  rail system and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) Whether  the  Ministry  has  requested  the  Ministry  of  Finance  for separate  funds  to  decongest  major  cities  such  as  Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru; and
- (e)
- if so, the details and the response thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) to (c): Urban transport, which is an integral part of urban development, is a State subject. Hence, respective state governments/ULBs  are  responsible  for  planning  and  development  of urban  mass  transport  infrastructure  including  metro  rail.    The  Central Government  considers  financial  assistance  for  metro  rail  proposals  in cities  or  urban  agglomerates, on  the  basis  of  the  feasibility  of  the proposal  and  availability  of  resources,  as  and  when  posed  by  the concerned state governments.

Metro  rail,  an  electricity  based  mass  transit  system  is  efficient, fast,  safe  and  comfortable  mode  of  public  transport.    In  August,  2017, Government of India has issued Metro Rail Policy- 2017 which focuses on  systematic  planning  and  implementation  of  metro  rail  systems  and enhancing  the  feasibility  of  metro  rail  projects  from  economic,  social and environmental perspective. The policy is a guide to state governments  for  preparing  comprehensive  proposals  for  metro  rail project.  The  policy  also  enables  innovative  financing  of  metro  rail projects  through  Transit  Oriented  Development  (TOD),  Value  Capture Finance (VCF) and Public Private Partnership. As per Metro Rail Policy, every  proposal  for  metro  rail  should  necessarily  include  proposals  for feeder systems that help to enlarge the catchment area of each metro station  at  least  to  5  kms.  Provision  of  last  mile  connectivity  through pedestrian pathways, Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) infrastructure, and induction  of  facilities  for  para  transit  modes  will  also  be  essential requirements for availing any central financial assistance. These measures  would  help  in  providing  hassle-free  travel  and  last  mile connectivity to commuters.

Government of India has provided central assistance for implementation  of  metro  rail  projects  across  the  country.  At  present, about 657 kms of metro rail network is operational in various cities viz. Delhi  &  NCR,  Bangalore,  Hyderabad,  Kolkata  Chennai,  Jaipur,  Kochi, Lucknow,  Mumbai,  Gurugram,  Noida,  Greater  Noida,  Ahmedabad  and Nagpur. About 873 kms of metro rail and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is under implementation in various cities.

The capital  cost  of  Mass  Rapid  Transit  System  (MRTS)  depends upon the type of the system viz. Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS), Light  Rail  Transit  (LRT),  Articulated  Bus,  Trams,  Metro  Rail  etc.  High capacity metro rail system is cost intensive and suitable for cities with high  projection  of  ridership.  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  on 15.07.2019  has  issued  standard  specifications  of  Light  Urban  Rail Transits  System  named  'Metrolite',  suitable  for  cities  with  lower projection of ridership. The capital and operation and maintenance cost of  Metrolite  is  expected  to  be  much  less  than  those  of  high  capacity metro  rail  system.  Cities  aspiring  to  have  rail  based  mass  transit system may adopt 'Metrolite' as prime mode of mass transit system.

(d): No Sir.

(e):    Does not arise.

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