Fast-Tracking Metro

Plans are being laid to develop Metro-Rail projects in over 30 cities in India. But, are we ready for successful execution?

- Shriyal Sethumadhavan

Perceived to be a constructive and good step forward, the Union Cabinet recently approved the Metro Rail Policy 2017 to enable realisation of growing metro rail aspirations of a large number of cities but in a responsible manner.

The policy places the onus on the states to improve the viability of Metro-Rail projects, promotes transit-oriented development while allying it with real estate development and improving last-mile connectivity; and emphasises on the need for attracting private investments through the PPP model. It provides for rigorous assessment of new metro proposals, including alternate transit mode analysis to ensure that the least cost and most-efficient mass transit mode is selected for public transport. Further, it also proposes an independent third-party assessment of proposals by government-identified agencies.

Policy analysis