India News | Metro Rail, Buses Capital-intensive, Can Not Be Offered Free, Says Hardeep Singh Puri
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, said on Wednesday that while certain political parties advocate for free public transport such as metro rail and buses, it is not economically viable to offer these services entirely cost-free to the public as these are capital-intensive schemes.
Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 28 (ANI): Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, said on Wednesday that while certain political parties advocate for free public transport such as metro rail and buses, it is not economically viable to offer these services entirely cost-free to the public as these are capital-intensive schemes.
"All these facilities - Metro and electric buses, these have to be economically viable. I believe that economically viable schemes will have good service delivery and the citizens will be happy with it. There will be no problem," Puri said in Indore.
Attacking Opposition, Puri said that the philosophy of some political parties is that all such services should be made free.
"Some political parties believe in making such things free, but these are capital-intensive schemes. Like Vande Bharat trains, they are highly successful. Nine have been introduced by the Prime Minister two days ago. People don't mind paying extra as they are getting first-class service," he added.
He further mentioned that when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister Metro Rail came to the country.
"Metro rail came to the country when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister and now 27 big cities have metro projects, he said.
Puri further added that 870 km of metro network have been laid across the country, while the construction of another 936 km is underway.
Speaking on Centre's upcoming plan to launch electric buses, he said, "Union government is also working on a plan to run 10,000 electric buses across the country and out of these, 500 buses will start running in the next few months." (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)