Question : COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT POLICY

(a) whether small villages settlements and commercial establishments along National Highways(NHs) are affecting the smooth movement of traffic on NHs;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon;

(c) whether the Government proposes to bring out a comprehensive transport policy to decongest NHs and city roads particularly in National Capital Region (NCR), Metros and other cities; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and steps taken by the Government to improve the public transport and to upgrade transport infrastructure in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) to (d) Ministry is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). Measures such as segregating local and through traffic, providing additional lanes and deployment of traffic marshals at toll plazas, providing diversion roads and signages near construction location, widening and bypass projects are taken up to decongest National Highways. Besides, Government is supporting Metro Rail, Bus Rapid Transport System and modern city bus service to encourage public transport. Ministry is also implementing a scheme for providing one time central assistant to the extent of 50% of the project cost for Information Technology related projects to States/State Road Transport Undertakings (SRTUs) for strengthening their public transport system.