Centre constitutes Committee to prepare new transport policy

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): The Union Government on Monday set up a high level National Transport Development Policy Committee to create a policy environment that encourages competitive pricing coordination between alternative modes of transport in order to provide an integrated and sustainable transport system.

The framework that national governments provide for the transport sector largely determines the level of cost and efficiency in transport operations.

The Committee will be chaired by Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s former Deputy Governor Rakesh Mohan in an honorary capacity, with the rank of Minister of State.

Earlier, Mohan chaired two expert groups on commercialization of infrastructure and on Railways.

The members of the Committee include Secretaries of all the Ministries associated with the development of transportation along with the leading experts in the field.

Such long term policy for the country was last delineated by the National Transport Policy Committee in 1980, which was chaired by former Cabinet Secretary B.D. Pande.

In order to formulate an integrated transport policy that also takes account, inter alia, of new technologies and environmental concerns, it was felt desirable to set up a high level committee which may make appropriate recommendations for consideration of the government.

An efficient, reliable and safe transport system is considered vital for fostering rapid economic growth.

Despite significant development of all transportation modes over the decades, transport capacity has not developed adequately in the country.

This has led to increasing congestion, asset deterioration and high levels of energy consumption, pollution and accidents.

Moreover rural areas have inadequate connectivity hampering rural economic growth. The transport system comprises a number of modes like the railways, roads, air and shipping.

The capacity of each mode has to be developed in a balanced fashion for ensuring harmonious development of the overall transport system including an appropriate mix between private and ublic modes of transport so as to optimize energy consumption and efficiency. Choice of modes is also influenced by pricing of hydro-carbon fuels apart from adequacy and efficiency of transport services. (ANI)