The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs recently underlined the importance of having a singular and comprehensive legislative framework to govern all Metro rail networks throughout India. This comes as a contradistinction to the current scenario, where Metro rail ventures are regulated by three central acts.
Current Legal Framework for Metro Rail Networks
All Indian Metro rail projects are presently governed by the legal apparatus comprised of three central acts – the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978, the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, and the Railways Act, 1989. The Standing Committee has expressed disapproval for this split legislative control, highlighting the necessity of a consolidated legislation for overseeing Metro rail systems across the nation.
Issues Highlighted by the Parliamentary Panel
The panel pointed out several problems plaguing the current Metro rail system. Apart from in Delhi and Mumbai, most Metro services have reported low ridership, causing a delay in breaking-even. Moreover, despite six to seven years of continuous operations, persisting issues include faulty Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), a lack of strategic planning for first and last-mile connectivity, inadequate parking facilities at Metro rail stations and a need for the expansion of the catchment area.
Panel Recommendations for Improvement
Among the key recommendations proposed by the panel, the need for adopting less capital-intensive MetroNeo and MetroLite networks in smaller cities stands prominent. In place of the conventional Metro systems, these alternatives could offer practical solutions, particularly in cities with low ridership patterns.
MetroNeo essentially offers a rapid transit system designed to deliver cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly urban transportation solutions. This system is especially suitable for tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Meanwhile, the MetroLite system, characterized by its dedicated path distancing itself from road traffic, can provide an excellent mode of transport. The system also suggests fencing on either side of the network for better segregation from road traffic.
Another notable recommendation is the integration of the Kochi Water Metro project under the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ FAME II scheme. This incorporation would be beneficial due to the project’s pollution-free transport promise, using battery-operated boats.
These recommendations from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs seek to address the current issues in Metro rail systems and propose innovative solutions for their improvement. The key goal is to establish a comprehensive single legislation that will cover all Metro rail networks, thereby streamlining their operation and enhancing their performance across the country. More advanced and tailored systems such as MetroNeo and MetroLite offer promising alternatives for smaller cities and are expected to improve ridership and overall efficiency of urban transport.
