Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority to be organiser

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Kochi: A special session convened by the city corporation on constituting the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA), as per the instruction of the Union Urban Development Mi­n­­i­stry, here on Tuesday mooted that the Aut­hority should function as a coordinating agency in the initial phase. It can be developed as a regulatory, independent Authority at a later stage, suggested various stakeholders who participated in the session.
 
The meeting was attended by Allan Kennaird and Sumit Mishra, consultants app­o­inted by the Ministry for the formation of UMTA and Urban Transport Fund (UTF). The meeting deliberated the possibilities and need for constituting UMTA and UTF in the city.
 
The major recommendations put forward by stakeholders include formation of a special purpose vehicle, a master control room, seamless ticketing for all transport modes and a comprehensive redesigning of the urban transport system. The general feel among the stakeholders was that they should have a clear picture about the structure, membership and funding of UMTA before finalising the draft.
 
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd managing director Elias George, Vyttila Mobility Hub Society managing director M. Beena, corporation secretary Ajith Patil, mayor Tony Chammany and deputy mayor B. Bhadra shared their remarks on constituting UMTA.
 
“Unlike other cities in the country, the formation of UMTA will be a challenge in Kochi as more than 74 per cent of the people depend on public transport system and the wide network of water transport,” said K.J. Sohan, town planning committee chairman.
 
The recommendations of the meeting will be submitted to the state government for consideration, while the consultants will present the proposals to the Union Urban Development Ministry.
 
KMRL chief to head Kochi UMTA
 
Ajayan|DC
 
Kochi: The United Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) for the city is set to be formed soon and will be headed by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd managing director Elias George. The proposal for Kochi UMTA has been forwarded to the government and is expected to get approval this week.
 
Elias George said that formation of UMTA was a compulsion in the wake of the city going ahead with work on the Kochi Metro and this is an opportunity to re-engineer the existing transport system.
 
At a meeting to probe the formation of UMTA and urban transport fund here on Tuesday, Elias said UMTA was mandatory in order to run the Metro. Though proposed way back in 2006, the UMTA concept could not be taken forward since   ‘institutional ego’ got in the way, he said. Now that it has become mandatory there is an opportunity to redo the whole transport system and ensure seamless ticketing. The command and control for the whole urban transport system should be with one agency for its smooth functioning, he added.