Survey stress on public transport in urban areas

  • 07/07/2004

  • Business Line (New Delhi)

With one-third of India living in cities, the Economic Survey has called for greater emphasis on urban infrastructure, especially public transport. According to the Survey, an efficient public transport system not only improves the energy efficiency of the economy, it also maximises urban-rural linkages for better labour supply. "Rural areas surrounding cities tend to indirectly derive significant income from the prosperity of the city, through sale of high-value crops, through small and medium enterprises and through labour supply. Urban centres provide income diversification, as rural families often have some members working in urban centres," it points out.