Over 500 kms of Metro rail under construction: Govt

New Delhi, Aug 3: More than 500 kms of Metro rail is under construction across the country and new projects will depend on availability of funds as well as feasibility, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said today.

He also told the Lok Sabha that government is not considering any change to the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) which provides a broad framework for development of urban transport.

"About 316 kilometres of Metro rail is under operation and more than 500 kilometres is under construction. This includes metro/mono rail systems promoted by state governments and private bodies under their own arrangements," Naidu said.

During the Question Hour, he said there is a demand for having metros in different cities and decisions would be taken after taking into consideration availability of funds as well as feasibility of projects.

Since urban transport intertwined with urban development is a state subject, planning, execution and development of urban transport facilities are done by the states and union territories concerned, Naidu said.

Meanwhile, the Urban Development Ministry has provided financial assistance to 11 cities for construction of 504 kilometres Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

According to the Minister, around 222 kilometres of BRTS is operational and the remaining 282 kilometres is under construction.

"Funding under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) has been continued till March 31, 2017 for 7,059 busines and 25 ancillary infrastructure projects (sanctioned during the transition phase ie. 2012-13 and 2013-14).

"Additional Central Assistance amounting to Rs 2,740 crore has been released. More than 18,000 buses have been procured so far," Naidu said.

PTI