Minister of Urban Development and Housing & Poverty Alleviation M Venkaiah Naidu today informed the Rajya Sabah that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was asked to review the fare structure of Airport Metro Express Line. In a written reply to a question raised by Shri Sanjay Raut, the Minister informed that the review of fares would be done comparing the current fares with Air Conditioned bus fares.
Naidu said DMRC has taken some measures to popularize the Delhi Airport Metro Line which included increasing the frequency of trains at intervals of ten minutes thirty seconds from the earlier 15 minutes, increasing train trips from 148 to 168, increasing the speed of trains from 70kmph to 80kmph, reducing travel time between New Delhi Metro Station and Airport to 19 minutes, provision of feeder bus service between Aero City Metro Station and T 1 terminal etc. As per Census-2011, 9,38,348 homeless people are living in urban areas of the country including 46,724 in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, stated Shri Naidu in his reply to Shri Baishnab Parida. Homeless people account for 0.25% of the total urban population in the country and 0.29% in case of National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Venkaiah Naidu informed Shri C.M. Ramesh that no loan has been disbursed by banks under Rajiv Rinn Yojana. This scheme was launched in October 2013 to provide interest subsidy to Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Groups for building/buying houses. An amount of Rs.50.00 cr was provisioned for this scheme. Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) meant for improving urban infrastructure came to an end on 31.3.2014. This was informed by Shri Naidu to Shri Dilipbhai Pandya. JnNURM, launched in 2005 was implemented till 2012 in the first phase and was later extended by the previous government before closing the Mission on 31.3.2004. Venkaiah Naidu informed Shri Ramachandra Prasad Singh that there is a proposal for a scheme to develop Smart Satellite/Twin cities along with a new mission for Urban Development. The Minister further said that the contours of this Scheme have not been finalized as yet.