Bhubaneswar: The state government on Thursday inked a deal with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India to implement an integrated sustainable urban transport system in the city and neighbouring Cuttack, Khurda and Puri.

The pact was signed as part of the proposal that the government submitted under the smart city mission where the German development agency will extend a financial support of four million euros (approximately Rs 31.45 crore) to implement the new urban transport system. The primary objective of the project is to develop an integrated urban transport systems that will provide sustainable mobility solutions. Sources said the first activity under the collaboration would be to prepare a low-carbon mobility plan as a key strategy for the city.

"The urban transport measures identified under this project will help the city become smart and sustainable and improve the quality of life," said development authority vice-chairman Krishan Kumar after signing the agreement with GIZ project manager Sarah Habersack.

Housing and urban development department minister Niranjan Pujari, who was present during the agreement signing, said the smart intra and inter-city mobility was "an important agenda in our smart city programme and we are making efforts to improve the service".

"The existing urban mobility system should be changed into such that it would help make cities livable. With population growth, cities have tended to sprawl and increased travel distances have made non-motorised transport impossible. This has made access to livelihoods, particularly for the poor, difficult," he said.

He said the government was considering placing a sustainable public transport system before the hockey world cup in November. "Many innovative modes such as e-rickshaws are under the government's consideration."

The Capital Region Urban Transport will have jurisdiction over transport in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khurda, Jatni and adjoining areas.