NEW DELHI: Metro man E Sreedharan has suggested to the government that India needs to increase the pace of laying metro lines by nearly eight times to meet the growing demand of safe and fast transportation in urban areas.

So far the pace of annual laying of Metro Rail lines is about 25 km and this needs to be increased to 200 km a year, Sreedharan has said. In the past 20 years, only 370 km Metro Rail lines have been made operational across the country.

Highlighting that Metro Rail projects needs quicker approval and speedy implementation, Sreedharan has suggested that these projects be brought under the central government like railways and national highways, sources said.

Sreedharan has also suggested that considering the growing need of Metro network in the cities, the Centre should approve an umbrella plan on the lines of Bharatmala, which the Cabinet approved recently for development of national highways.

For financing of the capital-intensive projects, Sreedharan said the government could have a provision of cess on diesel and petrol.

The special advisor to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has also reiterated his reservations against mandatory provision of private participation in Metro Rail projects saying such ventures have not been successful.

The proposal for a new Metro Rail Bill with provisions for uniform standardisation for all projects, fare regulator and faster land acquisition besides higher fine has been pending for Cabinet approval for about a year. TOI on December 31, 2016 had reported the new provisions include Rs 5,000 fine for aales (over 12 years) caught travelling in a Metro rail coach reserved for female or anyone caught travelling in drunken or intoxicated state.