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The Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Urban Development will discuss the draft National Urban Transport Policy tomorrow at Srinagar. The following are the salient features of proposed policy:
Integrating land use and transport planning – Government of India would extend support to the extent of the 50% of the cost involved in developing such integrated land use and transport plan.
Priority to the use of public transport – Central Government would promote investments in public transport as well as take measures to make its use more attractive than that of personal motor vehicles. Towards this end, central government would encourage cities to start planning for mass transit system by adopting suitable technology for which the centre would offer equity participation and/or viability gap funding upto 20% of the total cost. Centre would also provide financing for the preparation of project reports.
Pricing of public transport – To ensure that the fares charged are fair and reasonable, the centre would want the State Governments to set up a regulatory authority to regulate the prices to be charged by different types of public transport services.
Technologies for public transport – Centre would encourage all proven technologies like underground metro systems, elevated light rail systems, high capacity bus systems, monorail systems, electric trolley bus systems, etc.
Financing of public transport – Centre would offer financial support either in the form of equity or one time viability gap financing, subject to a ceiling of 20% of the capital cost of the project.
Priority to non-motorised transport – Centre would give priority to construction of cycle tracks and pedestrian paths in all cities, under the National Urban Renewal Mission.
Parking – Proposals for parking complexes would be given priority under the National Urban Renewal Mission. State Governments will have to amend building bye laws in all million plus cities so that adequate parking space are available for all residents of such buildings. Multi-level parking complexes will be made mandatory in city centres that have high rise commercial complexes.
Freight traffic – Cities would be encouraged to build bypasses through innovative and viable public private partnerships. Proposals for such facilities would be considered under National Urban Renewal Mission.
Unified Metropolitan transport authority – In order to enable coordinated functioning of different agencies involved in providing transport services, it is suggested that States should set up Unified Transport Authorities for coordinated functioning.
Use of cleaner technologies – Centre would encourage research, development and commercialisation of cleaner technologies.
Innovative financing mechanisms using land as a resource – Centre would encourage levy of dedicated taxes to be credited to an urban transport fund and used exclusively to meet urban transport needs within the State.
HRK/SK
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