Awards for KSRTC, BMRCL
The BMRCL said it had won the 'Most Innovative Financing of Project Capex or Opex for MRTS/RRTS' Award at the national-level infra rail show and awards.
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Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Deccan Herald
Awards for KSRTC, BMRCL
The BMRCL said it had won the 'Most Innovative Financing of Project Capex or Opex for MRTS/RRTS' Award at the national-level infra rail show and awards.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- India Gazette
"Ward-level accountability is key...": MoHUA Additional Secy D Thara
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): As India braces for an influx of 70 million new urban residents over the next two decades, government officials and industry leaders are calling for a strategic pivot in the country's urban development narrative--from rebuilding to revitalisation. 'Infrastructure must be delivered--if the private sector can do it better, let them,' said D Thara, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said. She was delivering the keynote address at a CII conference on Exploring Urban Dynamics: Outlook 2030' held in the capital on Friday. There is a disconnect between India's economic ambitions and the capacities of its urban local bodies, Thara said, urging the private sector to be proactively engaged in the urban development of the country. This becomes even more important as urban India is set to see an estimated 70 million new urban residents in the next two decades by 2045. This poses challenges and opportunities as the country will see the creation of many more cities, calling for a pragmatic, revitalisation-first approach to urban development. She underlined the need for targeted interventions to upgrade existing cities, backed by significant investment. The proposed Urban Challenge Fund, she explained, is intended to catalyse this transformation with a mix of 25 per cent public sector seed funding, 50 per cent market capital, and 25 per cent state contribution. 'It's not about building afresh,' she said, 'it's about fixing what already exists--legacy infrastructure, greenfield areas, and urban governance systems.' Prasad Gadkari, Executive Director & Chief Strategy Officer at NIIF, echoed the importance of enabling frameworks to unlock capital. 'A robust pipeline of projects, predictable revenue streams, and standardised bidding processes are essential,' he said, noting NIIF's readiness to back urban infrastructure initiatives through scalable public-private partnerships. Abedalrazq Khalil, Practice Manager for Urban and Land at the World Bank, placed India's urbanisation in global perspective. 'By 2050, 800 million people are expected to live in Indian cities. Cities must be enablers of growth--but many are not yet ready.' He emphasised the need for integrated planning and livability as critical to attracting private investment. Transport integration also featured prominently, with the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) cited as a model for enabling distributed urban employment. In-situ slum redevelopment and smaller-scale, private-led urban initiatives were also discussed as vital components of revitalisation. The conversation repeatedly returned to the need for local capacity. 'Ward-level accountability is key,' said Thara, pointing to the need for institutional support to empower smaller municipalities to tap funds such as those managed by NIIF. Regulatory enablers, including those supporting Transit-Oriented Development and flexible work models, were also cited as tools for urban regeneration. Sriram Khattar, Co-Chair, CII National Committee on Real Estate and Housing, noted that urban PPPs, once uncertain, have now gained credibility. Dr Debolina Kundu, Director of NIUA, added that effective urban governance, capacity building, and low-carbon infrastructure would be essential pillars of India's urban strategy to 2050. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Delhi plans unified transport authority to streamline mobility, integrate metro, RRTS, buses
Delhi government is planning to establish a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) to enhance coordination among various public transport agencies. Officials said that the body's main task would be to streamline project implementation and boost communication between govt departments. Several agencies work in the mobility sector in Delhi, including the transport department, Delhi Metro and the Rapid Regional Transport System (RRTS). The official said some of UMTA's functions would be to oversee the implementation of various traffic and transportation measures undertaken by various agencies in the region, to integrate various routes of public transport and to take up issues such as combined ticketing and feeder services. Officials said that govt had already made up its mind in this direction, and the proposal was supposed to be brought before the cabinet, but it was later felt that it could be brought into existence without cabinet approval as well. The transport department is working on the plan. There are some other departments that are connected to this issue in some way or another. These include the Delhi Pollution Control Board , traffic police, finance department and urban development department. A task force is being formed, which will have representatives from different agencies working in the transport sector. It will also comprise representatives from all agencies and departments at the local, state, and centre levels, performing any urban transport function for the particular city. "Currently, each agency plans according to its functioning, but UMTA will also ensure geographical integration by including the entire Urban Mobility Area in its jurisdiction and planning purview," said another official. "It will work toward resolving overlapping roles and unclear ownership among transport agencies. Its main objective is to connect various means of transportation like buses, trains, and metro, making travel easier and more efficient for people." UMTA's functions will also include making and implementing plans to reduce traffic congestion in metropolitan areas and ensure smooth traffic flow. Among its functions also are promoting the use of public transportation and encouraging people to use public transport instead of private vehicles. Officials said that the previous govt faced criticism for delays and disputes regarding payments to other govt agencies. These issues would also be tackled by the body in a more coordinated way. The earlier govt's delay in contributing its share towards metro Phase IV projects was a point of contention. Anil Chhikara, faculty at the Asian Institute of Transport Development, said, "Delhi, being the national capital, has layers of transport, be it metro railway, RRTS or the train network. There are different agencies handling their operation and working in silos. So it is important that a unified body exists. One thing that often gets ignored is road safety. So if such a body comes, it should specifically work in this direction."
