Centre to focus on public transport

NEW DELHI: Centre's decongestion plan for Delhi would focus more on public transport and other modes for mobility rather than investing huge capital in building flyovers and new roads, which were proposed earlier.

The draft proposal mentioned undertaking 18 major road projects entailing over Rs 22,000 crore.

"We have held a series of meeting with all the departments concerned. Solution to Delhi's congestion lies in improving public transport and mass rapid transport, which will help reduce the burden of increasing number of vehicles on the city roads. We will finalize the roadmap soon," a senior urban development ministry official said.

While addressing the 40th foundation day of Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) on Friday, even urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that there is a dire need to improve public transport.

"I understand that Delhi has over one crore vehicles. More cars will add to the discomfort of everyone...There is a need to make a certain areas as no-vehicle zones. For example, Connaught Place can be made vehicle free zone during evening," he added

He also said efforts should be directed at making Delhi "people-friendly" and to make it an attractive city. He asked officials to ponder on ideas such as water harvesting, recycling of waste water, multi-level parking facilities, cycling tracks, pedestrian paths to make Delhi a people-friendly city.

He asked the DUAC to guide municipal bodies to implement the smart city project.