'Delhi Metro, modern India's proudest achievement'

Minister for Urban Development S.Jaipal Reddy Union on Wednesday said that the Delhi [ Images ] Metro is the proudest achievement of modern India [ Images ].

He further mentioned that the ministry has taken some important decisions relating to urban transport to help the daily commuters and ease traffic congestion.

Reddy was addressing the members of the consultative committee attached to the ministry of Urban Development, here on Wednesday to deliberate on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Reddy informed that the Cabinet has approved the Chennai Metro Rail with a total cost of Rs 14,600 crore (Rs 146 billion) to be taken up as a joint venture between Government of India and the State Government of Tamil Nadu.

For Bangalore Metro Rail Project, the Union government sanctioned an extension of 9.3 km, he said.

He also mentioned that the Central Government has decided to provide Viability Gap Funding for Line-I of Mumbai [ Images ] Metro corridor from Versova to Ghatkopar via Andheri to the extent of Rs 471 crore (Rs 4.71 billion).

Referring to the second economic stimulus package, Reddy stated that the Union government for the first time decided to fund buses for Urban Transport under JNNURM.

A total of 15,260 buses were sanctioned for 61 Mission cities across the country. All these buses would be modern, low floor and semi low floor with various Intelligent Transport System features as per the Urban Bus Specifications formulated by this ministry.