Focus on public transport to tackle traffic congestion

New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy today said that it is necessary to focus on public transport to tackle the increasing traffic congestion in cities.

In a reply in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour, Mr Reddy said, "we need to bring about improvement in the public transport system in cities to tackle the traffic condition. For example, in Delhi there have been efforts to improve public transport through introduction of the ultra modern low floor buses." Mr Reddy said, even though the responsibility of tackling the problem arising out of increase in number of motor vehicles on the roads primarily rests with the concerned state governments, the Centre has been providing assistance to state governments under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and other schemes.

Admissible components under the JNNURM include urban transport projects like roads, highways, flyovers, mass rapid transit systems and metro projects.

To encourage greater use of public transport and non-motorised mode of transport, BRTS projects in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Pune, Vijaywada, Vishakhapatnam and Jaipur have been approved under JNNURM besides other urban transport projects.

He said the BRTS scheme has been initiated in ten cities.

"The Government will do its best to encourage public transport and separate facilities for cyclists," Mr Reddy said.

UNI AR NK AS1330