New Delhi, July 24 -- The standing committee on housing and urban affairs has said the government should introduce rapid rail transport systems (RRTS) around major cities to decongest them and curb rising pollution levels.

Currently, the country's only RRTS project is underway in the National Capital Region, with plans to connect Delhi with Meerut, Alwar and Panipat through three different corridors.

The panel noted that a big rise in population in Delhi and its adjoining areas resulted in problems of housing, transportation, pollution and necessitated planning of Delhi and the surrounding region leading to the development of RRTS network.

The panel said that there is a need to develop similar systems for cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, C...