Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs addresses Lok Sabha Question No. 769 regarding the promotion of public transport usage, acknowledging the potential of walking, cycling, and public transport to avert energy crises. While urban planning and transport systems are State responsibilities, the Government of India issues policy guidelines and provides financial support for urban transport infrastructure projects. Key initiatives include policies and schemes implemented since 2006, with significant metro rail development and financial investment since May 2014.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **State Government Responsibilities:** State Governments are responsible for the planning, management, development, execution, and maintenance of urban transport systems, including walking, cycling, and public transport.
* **Central Government Support:** The Government of India issues policy guidelines and provides financial support to urban transport infrastructure projects through various schemes.
* **Key Initiatives:**
* **National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006:** Shifted focus to "moving people" and emphasized public transport, non-motorized transport (NMT), and integrated land-use and transport planning.
* **National Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Policy, 2017:** Promotes high-density, mixed-use development around transit corridors to maximize public transport use.
* **Metro Rail Policy, 2017:** Focuses on the systematic planning of public transport projects, including Metro Rails. Since May 2014, approximately 788 kms of metro rail lines have been commissioned in 24 cities. 35 metro rail projects (1005 kms) have been approved with an estimated cost of Rs 3,27,487.30 Cr since May 2014, and Rs 1,88,197.78 crores have been released to various projects.
* **PMeBus Sewa Scheme (August 2023):** Aims to augment city bus operations with Rs. 20,000 crores central assistance for deploying 10,000 electric buses under the PPP model.
* **Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):** Supports urban infrastructure development, including public transport and NMT projects.
* **Public Bike Sharing (PBS) Systems:** Encourages cities to pilot PBS systems for first and last-mile connectivity to public transport.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Governments:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for planning, managing, developing, executing, and maintaining urban transport systems.
* *Action Required:* Implement urban transport systems and projects, including walking, cycling, and public transport options.
* **Urban Citizens:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from improved public transport infrastructure, NMT options, and connectivity.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available public transport, cycling, and walking infrastructure.
* **Central Government (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing policy guidelines and financial support.
* *Action Required:* Continue to develop and implement policies and schemes that promote public transport and sustainable urban development.
* **Metro Rail Corporations/Implementing Agencies:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing and operating metro rail projects.
* *Action Required:* Execute approved metro rail projects efficiently and effectively.
* **City Bus Operators:**
* *Impact:* Opportunity to augment city bus operations with electric buses under the PMeBus Sewa Scheme.
* *Action Required:* Participate in the PMeBus Sewa Scheme and deploy electric buses in urban areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to housing and urban development.
National Urban Transport Policy NUTP, 2006: A policy by the Government of India that focuses on moving people rather than vehicles, emphasizing public and non-motorized transport.
National Transit-Oriented Development TOD Policy, 2017: A policy by the Government of India that aims to promote high-density, mixed-use development around transit corridors and stations.
Metro Rail Policy, 2017: A policy by the Government of India for systematic planning of public transport projects including Metro Rails in order to achieve sustainable mobility.
PMeBus Sewa Scheme: A scheme approved by Government of India in August 2023 which aims to augment city bus operations in urban areas with Central Assistance for deploying electric buses.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation AMRUT: A mission that supports urban infrastructure development, including projects related to public transport and NMT.
Public Bike Sharing PBS Systems: Systems piloted in many cities to facilitate first and last-mile connectivity for public transport.
SHRI ADITYA YADAV: Member of Parliament who raised a question about promotion of public transport usage.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 769
TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 24, 2025
PROMOTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT USAGE
NO. 769. SHRI ADITYA YADAV:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government concurs with the view that the country has a
much bigger opportunity in its sizable share of walking, cycling and
public transport trips and high density mixed-use urban forms to avert
the energy crisis;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed to be taken by the
Government keeping in view the fact that most of the country’s citizens
still walk, cycle or use public transport and almost seventy-one per
cent of the work trips are by walking, cycling and multi-modal public
transport systems; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) to (c) : Urban planning is a State subject. The respective State
Governments are responsible for planning, management, development,
execution and maintenance of Urban Transport system including
walking, cycling and public transport. Government of India issues policy
guidelines for systematic development of urban transport infrastructure
and also provides financial support to such infrastructure projects
through various schemes / projects. Some of the initiatives taken by
Central Government are listed as below:
i. National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006: This policy marked a
shift in focus from "moving vehicles" to "moving people" and
emphasizes the importance of public transport, non-motorized
transport (NMT - walking and cycling), and integrated land-use and
transport planning.
ii. National Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Policy, 2017: This policy
aims to promote high-density, mixed-use development around transit
corridors and stations to maximize the use of public transport and
reduce reliance on private vehicles.
…2/--2-
iii. Government of India has issued Metro Rail Policy, 2017 for systematic
planning of public transport projects including Metro Rails in order to
achieve sustainable mobility. Since May, 2014, about 788 kms of metro
rail lines have been commissioned in 24 cities across the country.
Further, 35 metro rail projects with total length of 1005 kms at the
estimated completion cost of Rs 3,27,487.30 Cr have been approved
since May, 2014. Also, an amount of Rs 1,88,197.78 crores have been
released to various Metro Rail/ RRTS projects by the Government of
India since May, 2014.
iv. PM-eBus Sewa Scheme has been approved by Government of India in
August, 2023 which aims to augment city bus operations in urban areas
with Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 20,000 crores for deploying 10,000
electric buses under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
v. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): This
mission supports urban infrastructure development, including projects
related to public transport and NMT.
vi. Emphasis on Public Bike Sharing (PBS) Systems: Many cities have
piloted PBS systems to facilitate first and last-mile connectivity for
public transport.
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