4th June, 2002
Ministry Of Urban Development  


NEED FOR A NATIONAL URBAN TRANSPORT POLICY: ANANTH KUMAR


Minister for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Shri Ananth Kumar has emphasised the need for framing a National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) to provide adequate and affordable mobility at reasonable speed to all sections of the society, to ensure protection to environment and to promote fuel conservation and safety, all on a sustainable basis. Inaugurating a Workshop on National Urban Transport Policy, here today, Shri Ananth Kumar, observing that mere policy definition is not enough, added that such a policy should be supported by a legislative framework as well as a resource generation mechanism.

"A desirable urban transport policy should provide affordable accessibility and reasonable mobility to all sections of the society, reduce and control pollution, optimize fuel consumption, improve safety and be socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. The policy should be dynamic and should take into account the increasing population, ongoing urbanization and economic growth" Shri Ananth Kumar stated.

The Minister stressed that a new comprehensive Urban Transport Act should be drafted and enacted "to promote the development of an integrated urban transport system and to regulate urban transport services comprising various modes".

Shri Ananth Kumar further underlined the need for creating a Special PurposesVehicle (SPV) at the national level so that sufficient fund can be raised for implementing a city-specific urban transport strategy. He indicated that the SPV may provide funds for the required urban transport infrastructure in 35 cities having more than one million population. The private sector should also been encouraged to finance and manage the urban transport services in the city.

"At present funds for various components of urban transport come from budgetary allocations and users charges, where applicable. The inadequacy and utter state of dis-repair of urban transport infrastructure and services shows that these funds are inadequate", the Minister observed.

Pointing out that setting up of an Urban Reform Incentive Fund with an initial allocation of Rs. 500 crore was announced in the Union Budget to provide reform linked assistance to the States, Shri Ananth Kumar indicated that a part of the Fund could be earmarked for financing urban infrastructure projects.

Stating that the entire urban transport system in a city should be under one authority, Shri Ananth Kumar pointed out that the designated agency should have the requisite powers and resources to be effective. "The agency must have adequate skills and should be fully empowered, with a resource generation policy and comprehensive enabling legislation".

The Minister further observed that the urban transport infrastructure should benefit all sections of the society particularly to the weaker sections of the society and should contribute substantially towards social equity.

The Workshop has been organized the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation in association with the Institute of Urban Transport and National Capital Region Planning Board.