INDIA: Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath has given approval in principle for a Regional Rapid Transit System in the National Capital Region surrounding Delhi.
Due to be integrated with the Delhi Metro, RRTS will serve the Delhi - Gurgaon - Alwar, Delhi - Sonepat - Panipat and Delhi - Ghaziabad - Meerut corridors.
Nath has instructed the NCR Planning Board to explore a range of funding sources for the project such as exploiting transit-oriented development, monetisation of land and PPP models.
The Planning Board has also been encouraged to take the lead in planning and developing residential areas along the three corridors in partnership with the relevant state governments, and to seek technical assistance from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Improved connectivity between the regional centres of NCR and Delhi is hoped to reduce pressure on the city's infrastructure by opening up the regional housing market.
