President Pratibha Patil today said growing urbanisation in the country required advance planning and proper mass transport and transit facilities for a better living.

"Urban population in India is increasing. Today half of the humanity live in cities and the 21st century is likely to be the century when cities would have dominant human habitants," she said after laying the foundation for the Joka-BBD Bagh Metro Rail Project here.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee, apart from leaders of Trinamool Congress were present at the function, but no one from Left Front West Bengal government were present.

Incidentally, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was not invited to the ceremony organised by the Railways.

"I received no invitation," the chief minister had said yesterday when asked if he was going to the programme at Joka.

The President said, "As the population of cities grow, it is essential to have mass transport and transit system that facilitates movement within the city. In their absence city dwellers would depend on private transportation leading to congestion, pollution and more fuel consumption."

Describing metro rail as an effective system for mass transport, Patil pointed out, "It gives the people a convenient, comfortable and affordable mode of travel."

She said the Joka-BBD Bag stretch would link South 24 Paraganas district to the heart of the city. "This will no doubt boost the existing network and add to it substantially," she said.

The 17-km stretch to be built at an estimated cost of over Rs 2600 crore will connect Joka in South 24 Parganas district to BBD Bagh, the central business district of the metropolis, and help in decongesting the arterial Diamond Harbour Road.

"I am also optimistic that a project such as this which is sensitive to the concerns of the local people will be completed in time and be a source of pride for all," she said.