Population norm for Metro Rail Projects to be reduced to 10 lakhs from the present 20 lakhs

Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu and Shri Piyush Goyal dedicate DMRC’s Solar Power Plant to the Nation DMRC to scale up renewable energy use to 20 MW of solar power in 3 years

Urban Development Minister Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu today said that keeping in view the growing popularity of and demand for Metro Rail services, government is considering reducing the population norm for financing Metro Projects. He spoke about the need for ‘smart infrastructure’ in urban areas after dedicating to the Nation the 500 MWP Solar Power Plant of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) here today. Minister of Power, Coal and New and Renewal Energy Shri Piyush Goyal was also present on the occasion. The solar power plant, meant to meet part power needs of Dwarka Sector-21 Metro Station was switched on remotely using web link at Metro Bhawan. Shri Naidu further said that National Urban Transport Policy, 2006 is under review keeping in view the imperative need for improving public transport services in urban areas in the context of growing urbanization and attendant challenges. He said that at present, central government is financing Metro Projects in towns/cities with a population of 20 lakhs and above and this norm is proposed to be reduced to ten lakhs. Underlining the need for ensuring ‘energy security’ of the country through reduced dependence on oil imports, both the Ministers referred to the need to scale up speedily renewable energy use through promotion of appropriate technologies based on Prime Minister’s dictum of ‘Speed, Scale and Skill’. The Ministers’ unveiled DMRC’s Solar Power Policy of DMRC which seeks to reach a level of renewable energy use of 20 MW in the next three years. Shri Goyal said that keeping in view the need and ability of DMRC, this goal be reached in one year. Shri Venkaiah Naidu who travelled by Air Port Metro Rail Line this morning, complimented DMRC for increasing the ridership on this line by over 30% per month besides reducing operational losses since it took over the line in July, 2013. He said he has been regularly using this line as it affords ‘no stress, no tension’ travel.