India to cooperate with the US on urban transportation

Creation date: 25 September 2007

India Monday signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with the United States on urban transportation to address challenges thrown up by large-scale urbanisation, Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said.

At a bilateral meet here, a US delegation led by Sherry Little, deputy administrator, US federal transit administration, met an Indian delegation led by M. Ramachandran, secretary, urban development, to discuss issues related to surface transport.

Little is expected to call upon Surface Transport Minister R. Baalu Tuesday.

The MoC will enable the two countries to work closely in the fields of public transportation, inter-modal transportation, intelligent transportation systems, traffic information, capacity building and training in public transportation and other fields of mutual interest including the regulatory environment.

It will facilitate exchange of scientific and technical information on subjects of mutual interest, exchange of specialists, delegations and scientific and technical personnel, joint organisation of symposia, seminars, training programmes and other meetings, joint research in urban transportation science and technology and other forums of cooperation as mutually agreed.

Source: India PR Wire

Large scale urbanization in India has put severe strain on urban infrastructure which includes water supply, road and transport, sewerage and sanitation, drainage and solid waste management. If momentum of economic growth is to be maintained, challenges thrown up by large-scale urbanization will have to be addressed without delay. This was stated by Shri S.Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Urban Development here today after signing Memorandum of Cooperation with the United States in the fields of Public Transportation, Intermodal Transportation, Safety Transportation, Transportation for persons with Disabilities, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Information Centre, capacity building and training in public transportation and other fields of mutual interest.

The MoC will facilitate the following: Exchange of scientific and technical information on subjects of mututal interest; exchange of specialists, delegations, and scientific and technical personnel; joint organization of symposia, seminars, training programmes and other meetings; joint research in urban transportation science and technology; other forums of cooperation as mutually agreed.

Ms Sherry Little, Deputy Administrator, US Federal Transit Administration led a delegation of five officers. Shri M.Ramachandran, Secretary, Urban Development led the Indian delegation.

Source: SRK/ska