Lok Sabha Question No. 1699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Developing Transport Infrastructure in Amritsar
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1699

ANSWERED ON 5 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## DEVELOPING TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN AMRITSAR

1699. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that Amritsar being a major tourist destination and  having  a  dense  population,  there  are  issues  of  severe  road congestion, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  address  the  issues sustainably  by  bringing  metro  system,  rope  ways,  electric  buses and capsules while reducing environmental impact, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  for  allocating  special budget  for  developing  transport  infrastructure  of  Amritsar  into  a world class eco-friendly system, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (c) (i) The Central Government is responsible for development &  maintenance  of  National  Highways  (NHs)  in  the  country.  The

roads  other  than  NHs  are  the  responsibility  of  State  Government and other local Authorities. The roads in the city portion of Amritsar fall under the jurisdiction of State Government of Punjab.

However,  keeping  in  view  that  Amritsar is one  of  the  most prominent  cities  of  the  country  in  terms  of  heritage,  culture,  and socio-religious importance, Government has taken several measures to enhance the travel experience and improve convenience to tourists traveling to Amritsar by roads.

Some  of  the  important  National  Highway  Development  Projects taken up by NHAI in and around Amritsar are Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway  including  Spur  for  Amritsar connectivity, Amritsar Bypass (to facilitate movement of visitors to Attari-Wagah Border), Amritsar-Ramdas  corridor  (to  facilitate  tourists  visiting  Kartarpur Sahib),  Amritsar-Una  Corridor  (connecting  Amritsar  to  Anandpur Sahib) and Beas-Batala-Dera Baba Nanak corridor (connecting Beas to Kartarpur Sahib Corridor).

(ii)      'Urban planning' is a State subject. Therefore, the respective State Governments/ UT Administrations are responsible for planning,  initiating  and  developing  urban  transport  infrastructure including integration amongst various modes of public transport.

Central Government has formulated National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006, Metro Rail Policy, 2017 and Transit Oriented Development Policy, 2017, which act as a guide to State Governments/UT Administrations for integrated planning and implementation  of  urban  transport  systems.  Central  Government considers financial assistance to urban rail based system based on feasibility of the proposal and availability of resources, as and when posed by the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations.

Presently,  no  proposal  of  Metro  project  in  Amritsar  has  been received by Central Government from concerned State Government.

(iii)     There  are  different  schemes of Government of India such as 'PM-eBus Sewa' Scheme of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and  'PM  E-DRIVE'  Scheme  of  Ministry  of  Heavy  Industries  which extend financial assistance for incentivisation of faster adoption of electric  vehicles  (EVs),  setting  up  of  charging  infrastructure  and development of EV manufacturing eco-system in the country. State Transport  Corporations  may  send  proposals  to  such  Ministries  for assistance.

(iv) Government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in  2019  as  a  national  level  strategy  to  reduce  air  pollution  levels across the country. Taking into account the available international experiences and national studies, the tentative national level target under NCAP is 20%-30% reduction of particulate matter concentration by 2024. Target has been revised to achieve reduction  in  PM10  level  up  to  40%  or  achievement  of  national ambient air quality standards (60 µg/m3) by 2025-26.

Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  has  identified  130  million plus/  non-attainment  cities  (cities  exceeding  National  Ambient  Air Quality  Standards (NAAQS), consecutively for five years) including Amritsar city of Punjab State. City Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared and rolled out for implementation in these 130 non-attainment/ million plus cities to improve the air quality.

As per the annual action plan information filled by Amritsar Municipal  Corporation  for  FY2023-24,  the  following  actions  have been taken-up for e-vehicles in Amritsar city for reducing environmental impact:

·  Incentives have been provided for  purchasing 350 no. of Erickshaw/ E-Cart.

· 4 no. of E-charging stations have been installed in Amritsar city.

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