New Delhi: Building of more flyovers in
cities were only aiding the personal car-owners, Urban
Development Minister Jaipal Reddy today said and maintained
that the focus should be on expanding the new-age public
transport systems like Metro and BRT.
"We are building flyovers (in cities) for cars only. Even
buses can't go. The two-wheelers cannot use them," he told a
national conference on 'good governance towards improved basic
urban service' organised by TERI here.
He said the focus should be on urban public transport
and that there is a need for expansion of Metro in Delhi and
other cities of the country.
Reddy said apart from Metro, the ministry was looking at
bus-based public transport and highlighted the importance of
the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) in which exclusive lanes are
reserved for the buses. He said this was cheaper than the
Metro and the people have also liked it.
The minister said that 15,250 low-floor semi-luxury buses
have been introduced in 62 cities under the JNNURM.
"That is the only way to convince the aspiring urban
middle classes to give up personal cars and go for public
transport," Reddy said adding that this will help save fuel,
reduce traffic jams and pollution.
Noting that this will lead to better living in urban
areas, Reddy said that more than 90 per cent of the funds
under JNNURM, which is over Rs one lakh crore, has gone on
improving basic services like drinking water, drainage, slum
improvement and housing for the poor.
-PTI
First Published: Monday, November 23, 2009, 13:41