Metro can solve transportation problems in cities: PM

Says, it is estimated that by 2031, nearly 60 cr people will be living in urban areas

Noting that rapid urbanisation had led to a huge problem of transportation in Indian cities, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the Metro rail could prove to be a good solution in the given scenario.

"It has been estimated that by 2031, nearly 60 crore people will be living in the urban areas of the country.

"Rapid urbanisation will lead to several problems, including that of transportation," the Prime Minister said after laying the foundation stone of the underground Chandpole -Badi Chaupar line, which is part of the first phase of Jaipur Metro.

"Metro railway is a good solution to the problem of urban transportation," he said.

"Jaipur Metro will fulfil a major need of the people here. It will strengthen the transportation facility in this beautiful city and help the residents as well as the large number of tourists visiting the place," he added.

Advocating the promotion of renewable sources of energy, the PM said, "the energy demand in the country has gone up in the past decade and we are still dependent on costly imports."

"Also, the use of coal, oil and gas adversely affect the environment. So, it is important that we promote renewable sources of energy like solar energy," he said.