Question : URBAN CONGESTION

(a) Whether various cities in the country have been facing deteriorating transport condition and increasing traffic congestion;

(b) If so, the details thereof, city and State-wise and the reasons therefor along with the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) Whether the Government has sanctioned/released funds to address traffic problems in these cities and decongest them; and

(d) If so, the details of funds released during each of the last three years and current year under the various schemes, scheme, city and State-wise?

THE MINISTER FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU)

(a) & (b): Urban transport intertwined with urban development is a State subject. Details regarding increasing traffic congestion and deteriorating transport conditions in various cities are not maintained by the Ministry of Urban Development. Some of the main reasons for the increasing traffic congestion are increased use of private vehicles, lack of public transport, lack of pedestrian footpaths and non-motorised transport infrastructure. Encroachments of footpaths and public roads by vendors and private vehicles is also a reason for increasing congestion in the cities. Some of the actions taken by Government of India to address the problem of traffic congestion and deteriorating transport condition are as follows:-

(i) Issue of National Urban Transport Policy, 2006;

(ii) Providing financial assistance upto the extent of 80% to various cities to prepare Comprehensive Mobility Plans(CMP) and other transport related studies;

(iii) Providing financial assistance to the State Governments for establishing Metro rail networks in cities.

(iv) Sanction of 15485 buses to all the 61 mission cities in the year 2009 (details as per Annexure I) linked with some reforms.

(v) Sanctioned 12000 buses (2000 buses as a cushion) in the year 2013-14 (details as per Annexure II).

(vi) Capacity building of city officials by providing training to them regarding urban transport issues.

(vii) Advisory on introduction of congestion charges in central business areas/congested areas in India cities.

(viii) Sanction of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) projects to cities like Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Indore, Jaipur, Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad, Rajkot, Surat, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Amritsar (details as per Annexure III).

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The Government has sanctioned funds for procurement of buses, conducting of transport studies and preparation of Comprehensive Mobility Plans, construction of BRTS, Capacity building and construction of Metro Rail Projects for addressing traffic problems in various cities. The details of the funds released under various schemes for the last three years and current year are as attached as Annexures I to V.