The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Metro Rail projects in India are Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) designed to address the growing traffic congestion and demand for public transport in major urban centers. They are typically capital-intensive infrastructure projects.- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Metro Rail projects in India are rarely funded entirely by private companies. The dominant model is a Joint Venture (JV) between the Central Government and the respective State Government (usually with 50:50 equity). While some projects utilize the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model (e.g., Hyderabad Metro), the government still plays a significant role in viability gap funding and land acquisition.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The Metro Rail system is planned and implemented as a high-capacity alternative to road-based public transport, specifically the public bus system. Its objective is to shift commuters from road transport to rail-based transport to reduce road congestion and pollution.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Urban planners and economists have criticized the massive capital expenditure required for Metro systems. Critics argue that similar or better connectivity could be achieved at a fraction of the cost by upgrading the public bus system or implementing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, which offer greater flexibility and coverage.
Key Takeaway: Metro Rail projects are primarily government-funded or PPP-based initiatives aimed at decongesting cities, though they are often debated for their high cost-to-benefit ratio compared to bus-based transit solutions.