IANS

New Delhi, Aug 7: Cities with a population of over one million can hope to get a Metro rail system in the near future, Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy told parliament Friday.

"For the first time, we have an enabling legal framework for constructing a Metro system in conglomerations of over one million people," he said while replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on a bill to extend Delhi Metro services to the National Capital Region, including the satellite towns of Noida and Gurgaon.

The Rajya Sabha unanimously approved the measure, as did the Lok Sabha Thursday.

"We will respond positively to any proposals that we might receive. There is urgent need in India for mass transportation systems not only to reduce fuel costs but also to reduce traffic jams," Reddy pointed out.

"The projects will be funded on a 50:50 basis with the central and state governments contributing in equal measure. We are also trying to get loans from foreign institutions," the minister added.

The Metro service is currently available in Kolkata and New Delhi. The daily ridership in the national capital is estimated at 800,000.

Metro services in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kochi and Mumbai are in various stages of consideration.