National ID card for all by 2011: Chidambaram

The proposed unique multi-purpose national identity cards would be issued to all citizens by 2010-2011, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said in Chennai on Monday.

In the first phase this year, 1.2 crore (12 million) people in about 3,331 coastal villages and cities would receive the cards, he told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Chennai.

The card will be given to 110 crore (1.1 billion) people by 2010-2011.

Government has set up a Unique Identification Authority of India to implement the project aimed at obviating the need for multiple proofs of identity for citizens while availing any government service or for personal needs like opening bank accounts or seeking telephone connections.

Earlier, addressing the function to flag off the Chennai-Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) Duronto Express, Chidambaram said the government was keen on and committed to working for the development of the nation and the people.

"The government would also see to it that this development is shared equally among the people", he said.

Welcoming the launch of non-stop train, he announced that the frequency of the train would be increased to twice a week.

Southern Railway General Manager M S Jayanth said the train would have new design AC composite coach consisting of 24 AC 2-Tier berths and 40 AC 3-Tier berths, as an economy AC class.

He said the train will cover 2,177 km in 27 hours and 55 minutes compared to 28 hours and ten minutes by Rajdhani Express.