After a study by the Institute of Urban Transport revealed that the Kolkata tram is a cheaper, environment-friendly mode of transport, the Ministry of Urban Development has asked metropolitan cities to consider re-introducing trams. The ministry suggested that trams could be introduced along Bus Rapid Transit corridors.

India has sought Japan's assistance in setting up more urban transport systems like monorail projects, intelligent transport networks and the Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS). Japan has already been extending financial assistance for the construction of Delhi Metro.

Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, now in Tokyo participating in the India-Japan Business Summit, has acknowledged Japan's assistance in the development of India's urban transportation, elicited more assistance and invited investors to the Indian markets.

New Delhi Highlighting its inability to support increasing number of metro projects, the Centre has asked state governments to follow the models of Karnataka and Delhi for financing capital-intensive Metro rail projects by levying cess on residential and commercial developments, and increasing house tax. It has also urged them to set up state-level urban transport funds with such levies to finance the projects.

The Centre says its unable to support the increasing number of metro systems through the Budget and therefore wants the states to develop their own funding sources to part-finance such capital-intensive systems.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Shri Babulal Gaur called on Union Urban Development Minister Shri Kamalnath here today and handed over to him an action plan chalked out for Narmada River’s conservation by the State Urban Administration & Development Department. He demanded funds to the tune of Rs. 1298.87 crore for solid waste management, sewerage, construction of rain-fed drains and nullahs, cleanliness and plantation.

AHMEDABAD: In what may come as a setback for AMC, the union ministry of urban development has sent a report highlighting shortcomings in the JNNURM projects implemented in Ahmedabad city. Union minister Kamal Nath, in his letter of April 25, 2012, has informed the state government to take "immediate actions" based on the inquiry report.

A team of urban ministry officials was in the city recently to inquire into the allegations fielded by the opposition Congress in the AMC. The union ministry has also asked CAG to inquire into the implementation of JNNURM projects across Gujarat cities.

According to an official of the CMRL, all metro stations will have signage within and outside the station to guide users. A dedicated parking space will be provided to persons with disability, subject to space availability. Non-slippery flooring and well-lit passages will be provided.

“We will make sure that the stations enable free movement. Tactile tiles will be provided to help persons with disability access functional areas and platforms,” the official told The Hindu.

The move will improve Mysore's connectivity and spur growth: Chief Minister

The high-speed ‘bullet train' service proposed between Chennai and Bangalore will be extended up to Mysore to improve connectivity with Mysore and spur industrial growth in the region. This was announced by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda after inaugurating the Mysore Region Business Development Summit here on Friday.

Optimistic about the revival of the ailing Ring Railway, the Ministry of Urban Development last Tuesday asked the Railways to commission a study on how to improve ridership and patronage on the line. The MoUD also promised “substantial funding” for the project and asked Railways to keep all project stakeholders in the loop.

India, to put it euphemistically, is awash in its own ‘crap’ — a word derived from old Dutch to mean excrement. While accurate to an alarming degree, coming soon after the euphoria over the Agni missile tests, the discomfiture is evident.

New Delhi: Keen to ensure that there is no further delay in construction of a multilevel parking in Khan Market, the Delhi high court has asked the authorities to quickly finalize a layout plan. HC asked New Delhi Municipal Council and the urban development ministry officials to meet on April 21 and finalize
the layout. In case it requires more meetings, HC said, the agencies must continue to meet till the time a workable layout is drawn up.