PM launches metro rail; calls for unified transport authority

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mumbai, June 21 (UNI) Expressing hope that the ambitious Mumbai metro rail project would set a landmark in the city's development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today suggested a unified metropolitan transport authority, given the wide variety of transport systems that will co-exist in the metropolis.

Launching the prestigious Rs 19,525 crore Mumbai metro rail project at the Shanmukhananda Hall in Central Mumbai, after performing the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro corridor, Dr Singh said the metro rail would propel the mega-city, which is in the process of re-inventing itself, into one of the premier cities of Asia and the World.

At the same time, he asked the Maharashtra Government to set up a unified metropolitan transport authority for Mumbai, to enable a ''seamless and efficient integration and coordination of all modes of public transport systems.'' The Prime Minister said the Mumbai metro project would provide the much needed East-West link in the city and become a symbol of ''efficiency and economy.'' Stating that cities cannot continue to develop in the manner in which they have done over the past few decades, he said public transportation has to be the focus of India's urban transport policies.

Calling for an urgent need of new investment in world-class public infrastructure for urban areas, Dr Singh said cities could become more liveable and people-friendly, only if efforts underway to decongest them are expedited through encouragement of rapid public transport.

''Public transportation needs to be the focus of urban transport policies. We urgently need new investment in world-class public infrastructure for our cities,'' he stressed.

The total length of the metro project is 146 kms and when completed -- in phases -- ''it will make Mumbai a more liveable city, a better connected city and a city where distances shrink,'' he observed.

The Prime Minister said Mumbai symbolises India to the world and therefore, the city and State Governments must plan to maintain its pre-eminence.

''Mumbai is a city of dreams. It is the city where people come to fulfill their dreams. It is the most vibrant, globalised city, apart from being the hub of financial and other services. I am happy that it is re-inventing itself. Projects such as the metro will propel it into one of the premier cities of Asia and the World. I wish the city all well in its efforts in making Mumbai the capital of Asia,'' he added.

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