[sustran] Public Transportation Trade Mission to India - announcement

Dibu Sengupta dsengupta at gmail.com
Fri Sep 5 11:15:05 JST 2008


All,

Ron Boenau and Venkat Pindiprolu of FTA gave me the following announcement
to circulate. Those interested should contact them.

Thanks,
Dibu
===========================================================

*public transportation Trade Mission to India*

*September 2008*



Federal Transit Administrator James S. Simpson will be leading a public
transportation trade mission to India from September 22-30, 2008.  The
cities on this itinerary include New Delhi (September 22-23); Visakhapatnam
(September 24-25); Hyderabad (September 26-27); and Mumbai (September
28-30).



India is investing a considerable amount of funding to improve its urban
transportation system over the next several years.  There are 393
metropolitan areas in India that have a population of 100,000 or more, and
63 of these cities have over one-half million population.  These 63 cities
have been targeted by the national government for significant urban
transportation improvements.



The country's urban population is currently around 30 percent of its total
population.  Experience throughout the world indicates that, as economies
grow, rapid urbanization takes this proportion to over 60 percent before
stabilization occurs.  In recognition of this growth, the Indian Ministry of
Urban Development has identified 12 cities to be awarded grants ranging from
$100-150 million to improve their urban transportation systems.



This mission will begin in New Delhi, the seat of the national government.  The
city is developing plans for a 200-250 mile rail system, as well as a
significant expansion of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Experimental Line.  The
delegation will meet with senior officials from New Delhi Metro and the BRT
Experimental Line.  An industry roundtable is also being planned that will
provide an opportunity for the U.S. public transportation industry to engage
in dialogue with government and private sector organizations from India.



The second city on the itinerary, Visakhapatnam, has a population of nearly
2 million and is one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the world.  The
city is the recipient of a major BRT grant from the national government.  The
delegation is being invited to participate in an International BRT workshop
which will include participants representing regional, national and
international transportation interests.  A separate meeting with heads of
transportation agencies that attend the workshop is also planned.



The third city on the itinerary, Hyderabad, is a city of 6 million.  An
initial phase of a new metrorail project is currently under construction,
and the city is planning for a major BRT system with funding from the
national government.  A meeting with state and city officials is planned
with a particular focus on rail and bus improvements for the city.  A
separate meeting is also planned with the Institution of Engineers in
Hyderabad.  The Institution is comprised of engineering executives and staff
in public and private organizations in India who are intimately involved in
planning, design, and operations of public transportation in the country.



A final stop in this itinerary will be in Mumbai, a city of over 13 million
that plans an investment of approximately $50 billion for transportation
improvements over a 20-year period.  The metropolitan population is expected
to reach 34 million by 2031.  The proposed infrastructure will include 280
miles of a rail network and 65 miles of commuter rail.



In addition, the U.S. Commercial Service [
http://www.buyusa.gov/india/en/partner.html] has matchmaking services such
as a Gold Key that provides customized market research, pre-screened
one-on-one meetings, and follow-up as well as International partner searches
and background reports on possible Indian partners.  If interested, send an
application to Nisha.Wadhawan at mail.doc.gov before August 15, 2008.



If you desire to find out more about this trade mission, you may contact Mr.
Ronald Boenau at (202-366-0195), Ronald.Boenau at dot.gov.; or Mr. Venkat
Pindiprolu at (202-366-8061), Venkat.Pindiprolu at dot.gov., to advise of your
interest.


More information about the Sustran-discuss mailing list