CHANDIGARH: The Union Ministry of Urban Development has sanctioned another 400 buses for the Union Territory of Chandigarh under JNNURM. The approval was given at a meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee on bus funding and ancillary infrastructure projects under JNNURM in New Delhi last Friday.
Approval was also given for installation of ITS (Intelligent Transport System) and a depot. The in-principle approval has been given subject to fulfilling of certain conditions like formation of a SPV (special purpose vehicle) as insisted upon in case of all other similar approvals, a written undertaking by the UT administration that it will bear the operational losses if any and revision of fares which was last carried out in 2010. Dr.Sudhir Krishna, Secretary, Union Ministry of Urban Development also assured that the Ministry will finance the scheme of public biking which Chandigarh plans to implement, to promote clean transport in the country.
The CSMC approved in all 685 more buses of which 400 are for Chandigarh, 240 buses are for greater Meghalya along with request for ITS and bus depots and 45 for the state of West Bengal. Speaking at the meeting, Dr Sudhir Krishna advised the states to adhere to the new norms laid down for funding of buses in the current year like formation of SPV, installation of ITS, constructing depots, underwriting losses by state Government among others. This, he added will help the cities to build a sustainable and efficient transport system which will bring maximum benefit to the people.