[sustran] More flyovers of no help to public transport users: Reddy

[Vinay Baindur]

http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/nov/23/more-flyovers-of-no-help-to-public-transport-users.htm

*More flyovers of no help to public transport users: Reddy*

November 23, 2009 15:20 IST
Tags: JNNURM, Jaipal Reddy, BRT, TERI, Metro

Building of more flyovers in cities were only aiding the personal
car-owners, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy on Monday 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 in New
Delhi [ Images ].

He said the focus should be on urban public transport and that there is a
need for expansion of metro rail in Delhi and other cities of the country.

Reddy said apart from metro rail, 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 1 lakh
crore (Rs 1 trillion), has gone on improving basic services like drinking
water, drainage, slum improvement and housing for the poor.

Reddy said that "we are living in an urban age but our own urbanisation was
33 per cent" while the global average is 50 per cent. The government was
prepared to meet the challenge of urbanisation, he said.

He lamented that the urban local bodies, which have been left to the state
governments by the Constitution, have been victims of 'benign neglect'.

"As a consequence, no elections were held, some even for 20 years and no
powers were enjoyed by the urban local bodies," he added. Reddy said that
with the 74th amendment to the constitution, an attempt was made to see that
elections are held regularly and the ULBs enjoy powers.

But he said despite the constitutional amendment, more needs to be done as
the state governments were reluctant to part with their powers. Referring to
the success of JNNURM, which completes four years next month, the urban
development minister said an attempt has been made to not only give finances
but also to motivate the state governments to give more powers to the ULBs.

He said the funds of the JNNURM have been exhausted and he was elated at the
success of the project.

Reddy also underlined the need for a culture of levying user charges in the
municipal areas and pointed out that this was not being done in most of the
places.

"Take for example, drinking water. It is hardly charged anywhere. It
requires money to provide water to the houses," he added.