‘Country on path to become world’s 2nd largest metro network system’: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

NEW DELHI: Highlighting the Central government's endeavors to reshape the urban infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri expressed that there has been a substantial increase in investments in the urban sector, surging from Rs 1,78,053 crore (during 2004-2014) to Rs 18,07,101 crore (from 2014 onwards).

The Union Minister reiterated the indomitable will and resolve of the government towards the growth and development of the urban sector in India. The Minister was speaking at the launch of an updated e-booklet (2014-2023) titled, "Transforming Urban Landscape". Manoj Joshi, Secretary, of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and senior officials of MOHUA also attended the event.

The booklet launched by the Minister today encompasses the data/information on the progress of various schemes/ initiatives/ programmes/missions that aim towards the development of the urban landscape in India. These Schemes/Missions include Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban (SBM-U), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban (PMAY), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Development (AMRUT), Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) among others.

While briefing the media during the event, Puri recalled a statement of PM Modi towards urban development which said, "We see urbanization as an opportunity and we are committed to make cities world-class urban spaces that further Ease of Living." He said that in line with the vision of the Prime Minister, the government has utilized the opportunity to transform the Urban sector in the last nine years. He emphasized that this sector was neglected previously. He said that the country is on the path to becoming the world's second-largest metro network system.

Referring to the outcomes of various initiatives undertaken towards strengthening of Urban Transport, the Housing & Urban Affairs Minister said that today about 872 kms of metro lines are operational in 20 different cities namely, Delhi & 7 NCR cities, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Nagpur, Kanpur and Pune with an average daily ridership of 85 lakhs.

Further, about 988 km of metro rail projects (including Delhi-Meerut RRTS) are under construction in various cities across the country namely Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Pune, Kanpur, Agra, Bhopal, Indore, Patna, Surat and Meerut.

He also mentioned 'PM-eBus Sewa', a scheme recently approved by the cabinet for augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. (ANI)

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