One City, One Commute: Delhi To Have Unified Transport Authority
New Delhi: Delhi govt is planning to establish a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) to enhance coordination among various public transport agencies. Officials said that the body's main task would be to streamline project implementation and boost communication between govt departments.
Several agencies work in the mobility sector in Delhi, including the transport department, Delhi Metro and the Rapid Regional Transport System (RRTS).
The official said some of UMTA's functions would be to oversee the implementation of various traffic and transportation measures undertaken by various agencies in the region, to integrate various routes of public transport and to take up issues such as combined ticketing and feeder services.
Officials said that govt had already made up its mind in this direction, and the proposal was supposed to be brought before the cabinet, but it was later felt that it could be brought into existence without cabinet approval as well.
The transport department is working on the plan. There are some other departments that are connected to this issue in some way or another. These include the Delhi Pollution Control Board, traffic police, finance department and urban development department.
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A task force is being formed, which will have representatives from different agencies working in the transport sector. It will also comprise representatives from all agencies and departments at the local, state, and centre levels, performing any urban transport function for the particular city.
"Currently, each agency plans according to its functioning, but UMTA will also ensure geographical integration by including the entire Urban Mobility Area in its jurisdiction and planning purview," said another official.
"It will work toward resolving overlapping roles and unclear ownership among transport agencies. Its main objective is to connect various means of transportation like buses, trains, and metro, making travel easier and more efficient for people.
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UMTA's functions will also include making and implementing plans to reduce traffic congestion in metropolitan areas and ensure smooth traffic flow. Among its functions also are promoting the use of public transportation and encouraging people to use public transport instead of private vehicles.
Officials said that the previous govt faced criticism for delays and disputes regarding payments to other govt agencies.
These issues would also be tackled by the body in a more coordinated way. The earlier govt's delay in contributing its share towards metro Phase IV projects was a point of contention.
Anil Chhikara, faculty at the Asian Institute of Transport Development, said, "Delhi, being the national capital, has layers of transport, be it metro railway, RRTS or the train network. There are different agencies handling their operation and working in silos. So it is important that a unified body exists. One thing that often gets ignored is road safety. So if such a body comes, it should specifically work in this direction.
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