The Deccan Herald 19.10.2010
‘India lacks infrastructure to sustain population growth’
Bangalore, October 18, DHNS:
The urban population of the country will double in the next 30 years and India does not seem to be equipped to provide the kind of infrastructure required to sustain the growth, Union Urban Development Department Joint Secretary S K Lohia has said.
Delivering a lecture at the three-day national conference on infrastructure, sustainable transportation and urban planning here on Monday, Lohia said the cities in the country should provide a comprehensive and sustainable infrastructure instead of dealing with individual aspects.
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Managing Director Gaurav Gupta said urban planners in general leave out transportation aspects from their blueprints and vice-versa. “Mobility is a key factor in determining growth. Moreover, transportation is an integral part of infrastructural planning and is essential to facilitate sustained growth in any city,” he added.
Indian Institute of Science Associate Director N Balakrishnan said migration from rural areas had burdened the the present-day cities. The thrust should therefore be on striking a balance between rural and urban infrastructure, he added.
Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning has organised the event.
