'IT-enabled traffic must for aid under Urban Renewal Mission'

NEW DELHI: Use of Information Technology enabled traffic management will be one of the eligibility criterion for cities seeking support under the next Urban Renewal Mission, the government said today.

" IT-enabled traffic management is one of our thrust areas in urban renewal mission. It will be launched soon and we will make it imperative for cities to include it as a condition to qualify for support under the scheme," Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath said.

He was interacting with participants at a convention organised by Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures here.

Nath said the government is keen to bring in new technologies, like electric vehicles, but it is up to the industry to take initiative and give a roadmap.

"Industry has to decide when they are ready," he said. On traffic woes in cities, Nath said government is making attempts to spread civic sense through various programmes.

"Government has many programmes, state governments have many programmes. Drivers' training institutes are bringing in civic sense on roads in their curriculum. But we have a legacy of the past where everybody did everything on roads...I think (we are) going through a process of evolution right now and it (civic sense) has to come in time to come," he said.