Question : GREEN URBAN PRACTICE

(a) whether Global Environment Facility has agreed to undertake pilot projects for promoting green urban practices in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any agreement has been signed in this regard; (

(c) if so, the details thereof and the salient features thereof;

(d) the details of cities for pilot projects so far identified and the criteria for selection of cities for the said purpose; and (

(e) the details of expenditure likely to be incurred on developing such cities along with the details of funds allocated, released by the Government so far, city and State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a): Yes, Madam. The Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) was taken up in May, 2010 with the assistance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP and the World Bank, focusing on transport systems in favour of sustainable development besides ensuring that environmental considerations are taken care of.

(b)& (c): The agreement for GEF assistance for the STUP was signed between the Government of India and the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - acting as an implementing agency for GEF). The agreement, interalia, comprises of various articles concerning general conditions of the agreement, loan, project effectiveness, details like project description (capacity development assistance for Urban Transport and city demonstration projects), project execution (implementation arrangements, project monitoring, reporting and evaluation, procurements), etc.

(d) Five cities- Pimpri Chinchwad in Maharashtra, Naya Raipur in Chhatisgarh, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Mysore and Hubli Dharwad in Karnataka were identified based on willingness on the part of States & Cities, their preparedness, population and travel demands and priority to public transport in the cities. Additionally diversification in the selection process includes regional distribution, city & population size and demonstration impact.

(e) The project envisages improvement in public transport in selected cities and the cost is to be shared among the Government of India and State Government concerned, Project Implementing Agencies and the lending agencies, i.e., the World Bank, UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as per the following details:-

 Funding Agency	Total Project	Total Expenditure	Cost (INR	upto 31.12.14 Million)	(INR Million) Government of India	2,843.37	1,433.77 State Government	4,947.20	1,567.15 Project Implementing	3,448.28	1,174.13 Agencies IBRD (Loan through	5,287.70	1,400.90 World Bank) GEF (Grant through	896.52	239.22 World Bank) GEF (Grant	194.40	130.03 through UNDP) Total	17,617.47	5,945.20