JAIPUR: The Pink City may not get a metro rail system similar to the one in Delhi but the planners here have promised a bus mass rapid transit system (BRTS) by the year 2008 if that is any consolation. BRTS, covering 42 km and to be introduced within the next 18 months, will be funded by the Union Government, the State Government and the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). Metro rail is said to be not economically viable at present

According to JDA Chairman D.B. Gupta, a new master plan for Jaipur envisaged the Rajasthan Capital as a mega city generating economic momentum for global exchange for quality services and infrastructure. "We want to make Jaipur a national hub of economic activities and give it a global brand value," he said addressing a conference on housing and urban development in Rajasthan organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr. Gupta said the area under JDA for development was being expanded by adding 113 more villages to the existing 478 to match the future need of the 35-lakh population by the year 2011. For a phased development a 2025 Master Plan was also being prepared with the support of PHDCCI in the industries and services segment, he said.

HUDCO Chairman and Managing Director P.S. Rana, who made a presentation at the conference, said the absence of dynamic polices more than investment acted as hindrance to rapid development of the housing sector. He suggested changes in the registration procedures and amendments in acts, rules and regulations for facilitating a hassle-free system. Dr. Rana suggested adding incentives to the rental income through income tax exemption to augment availability of housing. "The rent laws in the country are anti-tenancy and are restricting rental housing," he noted. The Commissioner of the Rajasthan Housing Board, Sohal Lal, called upon the private sector to come up with a plan for the urban poor in major cities of the State under the public-private partnership model of development.

The co-chairman of the Rajasthan committee of the PHDCCI, G.S. Singhvi, said the chamber would work in partnership with the State Government in urban development and housing.

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