India already has a 515-kilometre functional network of metro tracks in various cities. (File)
Highlights
- India has 515 km functional metro network, plans to increase it to 660 km
- Detailed project report was included in the Metro Rail Policy 2017
- Several cities need a metro - an eco-friendly mass transport system
India already has a 515-kilometre functional network of metro tracks in various cities and 15 more will soon have over 660 kilometres of tracks for rapid urban transportation, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday.
Interacting with the members of the Consultative Committee attached to the Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) Ministry, Mr Puri spoke about new urban transport initiatives in India.
According to a statement released by the housing and urban affairs minister, the state governments and union territories have been advised to prepare and submit the Detailed Project Report (DPR) in line with the provisions in the Metro Rail Policy 2017.
"Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs has stated that more than 664 kms of metro rail projects in 15 cities are presently under various stages of implementation, while more than 515 kms of metro line are already operational in India," the statement said.
He said several new cities are now aspiring to have metro rail systems.
To bring together the technology and service providers, policy makers, officials in urban transport from India and abroad, the 11th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference is planned from November 2-4 at Nagpur, with the theme "Green Mobility" to disseminate up-to-date and best urban transport practices information to the cities, he added.