Metro rail gauge controversy settled by Cabinet

New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) The Metro rail gauge controversy between the Railway and the Urban Development Ministry was settled today with the Union Cabinet deciding that the operation and maintenance of Metro rail systems within a municipal area will be legislated upon by the state governments.

''The Centre will provide a model legislation for the state governments which will have their own legislations,'' Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that took the decision.

It will provide a legal back-up for the construction and operation of the Metro rail systems in various cities in a gauge chosen by the state government concerned. This in turn will bring about improvement in the public systems in these cities, and strengthenen the institution of Commissioner of Railway Safety.

The approvals were based on the recommendations of the group of ministers, constituted under the Union Agrriculture Minister.

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