With the aim of promoting public private participation (PPP) model in the urban transport system, Centre has decided to give awards for the best PPP initiative in the sector.
Beside the PPP model, the awards constituted for the first time by the Urban Development Ministry, would also select the best environment friendly project in urban transport to encourage green mode of transport in the country.
"We have constituted an eight-member selection committee for the purpose headed by the former Urban Development secretary Anil Baijal," said a senior ministry official.
There will be representatives from the National Institute of Urban Affairs, School of Planning and Architecture, FICCI and CII among others in the selection committee.
Besides Metro and bus, non-motorized transport systems like cycle rickshaws, inland water transport, ropeways, trams, skybus are various other modes of urban transport system.
Nominations will be received from states and Union Territories and the awards will be declared on December 3.
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There are total 10 categories including PPP model, cycle rickshaw transport, environment friendly, mass rapid transit.Besides promoting PPP and environment-friendly transport system in urban areas, Urban Development Ministry is hopeful that these awards would help in recognising the efforts being made by various agencies in the field of urban transport as envisaged in the National Urban Transport Policy.
The effort will go a long way in not only dissemination of information but also in capacity development at various levels, said the official.
While many cities like Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore are introducing Metro as an effective and environment friendly urban transport system, the ministry is also giving funds to state governments under JNNURM for purchasing of high capacity buses.
The ministry is also involved in the mass rapid transit system to promote public transport system.
The nominations for National Awards for Excellence in Urban Transport would be received till September 30.