Pune July 06 Nation's pilot project: Union urban development secy points to funding limitations under JNNURM, expresses satisfaction over Pune pace Even as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) today sought Rs 480 crore from the central government for improvement of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) routes, uncertainty looms over raising of funds to cover the additional costs of the System. Around Rs 600 crore are required as the project estimation has increased from Rs 807 crore to Rs 1,400 crore "We have not yet considered the PMC demand to fund the additional project cost of the BRTS in Pune,' Union Urban Development Secretary M Ramchandran told reporters after reviewing the pilot BRTS route from Swargate to Katraj. Clearly expressing surprise over the hike in project cost of the BRTS, Ramchandran said that the PMC's demand for Rs 480 crore for the BRTS will be discussed at a meeting in New Delhi on Friday. When it was pointed out to him that the PMC was seeking funds from the World Bank to meet the additional project costs, he said that it was up to the local civic body and the state government to decide on it "as we would only make recommendations for it'. "There are limitations over funding of the projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), but the Centre is committed to bearing 50 per cent of the project cost,' he added. Expressing satisfaction over BRTS work in the city, the the Union secretary said that the System in Pune is the pilot project for the country and there would be improvements in it in accordance with needs. "BRTS is the best and fastest of all public transport for the urban areas of the country. The space on roads is limited and the problem is getting compounded as the number of vehicles coming on roads is increasing by the day,' he said. "The Centre has recommended strengthening of the signal system and segregation of the BRTS lane to avoid accidents after a spate of ones in both Pune and Delhi. Enjoying a bus ride on the BRTS lane, Ramchandran was also quick to point out that the PMC's failure to mention JNNURM anywhere in the lane. Municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi said that the frequency of BRTS buses would soon be increased to avoid infiltration of other vehicles on the BRTS lane. Earlier, Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi, MP, said that the Centre had been urged to allot Rs 480 crore to the PMC for carrying out the additional work needed to improve the BRTS and start work on the first phase of BRTS in the city. Ramchandran noted that the PMC has been given "AA' rating by the private agency appointed for evaluation of 63 urban local bodies in the country. "The credit rating of urban local civic bodies has been carried out to enable them to raise funds from the open market for infrastructure development,' he explained. The Union secretary said that the upgradation of infrastructure in cities under JNNURM also includes reduction of water wastage. "There is an average wastage of 50 per cent water in India, while only 4 per cent of water gets wasted in Singapore,' he pointed out, explaining the need for improving the water supply system.