New Delhi: Delhi government is mulling introducing 'smart comfort taxis' in the national capital which will not only be eco-friendly but also a cheaper alternative to auto rickshaws.
"We are working on providing an alternative to auto rickshaws which is not only eco-friendly but also likely to be cheaper to avoid burning a hole in people's pockets. The idea is being considered to address the problem of last mile connectivity in Delhi," Delhi Tourism Minister Gopal Rai said here today.
Rai was addressing the gathering at the "Smart Transportation Infra Summit 2015" organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). Participating in a seminar on "Smart mobility in Delhi and Technology Convergence in Smart Transportation", Rai said, "Despite metro being a saviour and efforts being made to make public bus transport system smooth, the major hurdle is the lack of last mile connectivity which forces Delhi residents to ply their private vehicles on road."
The minister said that a proposal of introducing 'common mobility card' which will work in all modes of public transport is also being actively considered.
"DTC is in process of introducing 2,000 buses including 1,380 low far buses, 500 midi buses and 300 luxury buses which will be dedicated for travel between Delhi and NCR," he said.
"10,000 buses will be introduced in the Public Private Partnership mode and will have all kinds of categories including standard general buses, middle fare and high fare buses," he added.
Claiming that the Delhi Transport department has found during a review that the work in public transport sector in the national capital has been in a deadlock post Commonwealth Games in 2010,
Rai said that the AAP government is working towards making Delhi "congestion and pollution free". "E-rickshaws which faced few hurdles initially will be launched on a bigger scale now. We have already announced a subsidy of Rs 15,000 to each e-rickshaw holder," he said.
The minister said that the government will soon be organising a one-day conference where various stakeholders will be invited to discuss best practices adopted across the world and in India to enhance the public transport system.
"A task force will be developed after the conference which will work towards improving the public transport system in Delhi," he said.
