**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 2297 in the Lok Sabha, addressed to the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs regarding access to public transport in urban areas, specifically Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. It was answered on February 12, 2026. It states that state governments are responsible for urban planning, and highlights the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme to improve public transport options.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Urban Planning and State Responsibility:**
* Urban planning is a state subject.
* State Governments are responsible for planning, initiating, and developing urban transport infrastructure.
* **Central Government's Role:**
* Provides financial assistance for Metro Rail projects based on feasibility and resource availability.
* Metro Rail Policy (2017) guides the consideration of financial assistance.
* **Current Status:**
* 37% of urban residents have easy access to public transportation as of Economic Survey 2024-25.
* The number of cities with operational metro networks has increased from 5 to 26 in the last 11 years.
* Daily ridership has increased from 28 lakhs to 1.15 crore.
* **PM-eBus Sewa Scheme:**
* Launched on August 16, 2023, to augment bus operations.
* Aims to deploy 10,000 air-conditioned electric buses on a PPP model.
* Includes the development of associated infrastructure in urban areas.
* Provides central assistance of ₹ 20,000 crore for cities with populations between 3 and 40 lakh (as per 2011 Census).
* Focuses on accessibility for all, including specially-abled persons, women, and children.
* **Public Transport Options:**
* The modes of public transport (Metro, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), Buses, etc.) are selected by concerned State Governments based on city requirements.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for planning, initiating, and developing urban transport infrastructure based on the needs of their cities.
* **Action Required:** Select appropriate public transport modes and propose projects for financial assistance from the Central Government.
**Urban Residents**
* **Impact:** Aiming to improve access to public transport through initiatives like the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme and expansion of metro networks.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available public transportation options.
**Central Government (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing financial assistance and policy guidance for urban transport projects.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate proposals from State Governments and allocate resources based on feasibility and availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The central ministry responsible for policies and programs related to urban development, including public transport, in India.
PM-eBus Sewa Scheme: A Government of India scheme launched to augment bus operations by deploying electric buses and developing associated infrastructure in urban areas.
Metro Rail Policy, 2017: A policy document by the Central Government that guides financial assistance for Metro Rail proposals in cities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2297
TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 12, 2026
ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN URBAN AREAS
NO. 2297. SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that only about 37 per cent of the urban population
has access to mass public transport;
(b) if so, the reasons for low accessibility despite increasing investments in
metro projects; and
(c) whether the Government plans to expand cost – effective options like Bus
Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) & (b): ‘Urban Planning’ is a State subject, therefore, the respective
State Governments are responsible for planning, initiating and developing
urban transport infrastructure including integration amongst various
modes of public transport. As per Metro Rail Policy, 2017, Central
Government considers financial assistance for Metro Rail proposals in
cities or urban agglomerates based on the feasibility of the proposal and
availability of resources, as and when posed by the concerned State
Government. As per Economic Survey 2024-25, 37% of urban residents
have easy access to public transportation. In last 11 years the number of
cities with Operational Metro network has increased from 5 to 26 and the
daily ridership has increased from 28 lakhs to 1.15 crore. Government of
India has launched “PM-eBus Sewa Scheme” on 16th August 2023 with the
aim to augment bus operations by deployment of 10,000 air conditioned
electric buses on PPP model and development of associated
infrastructure in urban areas with central assistance of ₹ 20,000 crore for
cities with population in the range of 3 lakh to 40 lakh as per 2011
Census. Metro system and e-buses under PM-eBUS Sewa has all features
to enable proper accessibility to all including specially abled persons,
women, children etc.
…2/--2-
(c): The different modes of Public Transport like Metro, Bus Rapid
Transit System (BRTS), Buses etc are selected by concerned State
Government as per requirement of cities.
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