To delebrate upon various aspects of the implementation of the project at larger scale, the Ministry of Urban Development is organizing a workshop for the SUTP program on June 9, 2010 at the Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi.

The two days workshop will be inaugurated by the Minister of Urban Development Shri S. Jaipal Reddy. The other participants will be UN Resident Coordinator & Resident Representative UNDP, Mr. Patrice Coeur-Bizot, Country Director of World Bank, Dr. Roberto Zagha and senior officials from the States/cities and concerned Central Ministries.

The rapid urbanization and consequent increase in vehicular usage has created traffic congestion, increased air pollution, more traffic accidents, more hazards and impedances for pedestrians, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Responding to the perils of motorized urbanization required a change in focus as outlined in the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP). To achieve this, the GOI has applied to the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to implement GEF's Sustainable Transport Project in India. SUTP in India is to be implemented through two initiatives, namely,

• Institutional strengthening and capacity building at the national level; and

• Implementation of Demonstration projects. This initiative is envisaged to identify, prepare and implement a package of green transport demonstration projects in various cities in India.

The total GEF grant proposed for the project is US$ 25.575 million, which will be complemented with a grant of US$ 150 million from GOI, State Governments, and Implementing Agencies (IA) along with US$ 200 million co-financing from the World Bank.