[sustran] NTDPC report released Increase Investment in Transport to 3.3 Percent of GDP set up Metropolitan Urban Transport Authority

[Vinay Baindur]

http://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=104414


http://planningcommission.gov.in/sectors/index.php?sectors=National%20Transport%20Development%20Policy%20Committee%20(NTDPC)



Increase Investment in Transport to 3.3 Percent of GDP set up Metropolitan
Urban Transport Authority
Rakesh Mohan Committee Report on Transport Development Policy Released

The High Level National Transport Development Policy Committee (NTDPC),
chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former Deputy Governor, RBI, emphasises the
need for modernisation and expansion of all segments of the transport
system.  The Report is to be presented to the Prime Minister Dr.ManmohanSingh
tomorrow.



The NTDPC was set up in 2010 to assess the transport requirements of the
economy for the next two decades in the context of the changes in economic,
demographic and technological trends expected at local, national and global
levels; and to recommend a comprehensive and sustainable policy for meeting
such requirements.



The Committee comprised of Secretaries of central ministries, private
sector representatives, and eminent persons/experts from the transport
sector. The Committee held consultations with State Governments in 2012-13
and also received technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank and
the World Bank in its work.  The Interim Report of the Committee was
earlier submitted to the Government in April, 2012.



            The Report sets the conditions for a coherent system based
transport strategy for the two decades beginning with the 12th Five Year
Plan to the end of the 15th Five Year Plan.  The Report represents new
thinking on how to look at different sectors in an integrated fashion and
suggests mechanisms and measures for carrying this approach forward in a
manner that reduces the resource costs involved.



To enable sustained high economic growth over the next two decades,
investment in transport would need to increase from the current about 2.6
per cent of GDP to about 3.3 per cent in the 12th Plan, and then stabilise
at about 3.7 per cent of GDP until 2032. Based on the macro modelling
framework utilised, the projections envisage that with appropriate economic
pricing and adequate regulation, sustainability can be achieved in the
transport sector; and resources can be attracted from both private and
public sectors. Moreover, the resource projections suggest that the country
can become more ambitious in transport projects in the 13th Plan and beyond.



While the Report addresses sectoral issues in detail, it addresses a number
of wider issues that affect the transport system as a whole. Its focus is
on cross-cutting themes underlying transport strategy and the resulting
investment programmes. It is not so much about specific solutions, as it is
about developing human resource capacity, and developing responsive
institutions for achieving the overall strategy and outcomes envisaged.

*Contd**...........2*

One of the significant findings of the Committee is that there is lack of
expertise within the whole transport system: from policy making to
designing and execution. The Report thus focuses specific attention on
developing research and human resource capacity at all levels, and
developing responsive institutions for achieving the overall strategy and
outcomes envisaged. It also proposes reform measures in regulation,
rationalisation of fiscal regimes and embedding safety concerns in all
transport planning and execution.



Taking note of the weak institutional framework for policy, planning and
coordination in transport at the central and state levels the Report argues
for decentralised coordination keeping in view the federal nature of the
country. To this end, the Report advocates re-aligning transport governance
and proposes establishment of Offices of Transport Strategy at the national
and state level within the 12th Plan period.  The Report also recommends a
unified Ministry of Transport at the centre, with similar merger of
transport functions at the state level. At the metropolitan city level it
advocates the formation of Metropolitan Urban Transport authorities. These
institutions should be embedded with adequate technocratic capacity in both
quality and quantity.



In its vision for a modern transport system for the country, the Report
also takes cognizance of the probable growth rate of energy usage in
transportation and its impact on environment, and has made several
recommendations with regard to policy on emissions standards, pollution
control, use of information and communication technology, and advocates a
Life Cycle Analysis approach to transport planning. With regard to
transportation of energy commodities, which is a greater challenge to the
economy, the recommendations include concentration of investment in
railways and proactive action in port development, including coastal
shipping.  The Report has devoted exclusive chapters for Transport
Development in the North East and another on Promoting International
Connectivity between India and the South and South East Asia regions.



While the main section of this Report looks at these broader systemic
issues and makes recommendations on how to achieve these goals, the second
section, looks at specific sectors, and what needs to be done to take these
to the next stage of development commensurate with our aspirations as a
nation.  These are:

            Railways

            Road and Road Transport

            Civil Aviation

            Ports and Shipping

Urban Transport



The Executive Summary and the full report of the High Level Committee on
National Transport Development Policy can be accessed on the official
website of the Planning Commissionhttp://planningcommission.nic.in/



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*KSP/NNKaul/SR*