[sustran] Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture seeks study on NCR public transport

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130829/delhi.htm#1

*House panel seeks study on NCR public transport
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service*

New Delhi, August 28
After going through a detailed study report on the public transport system
of the entire National Capital Region, the Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Transport, Tourism and Culture observed that under the existing
situation of multiplicity agencies in Delhi, a unified authority capable of
making decision on all aspects of transport is the need of the hour.

The committee feels that an interim solution to the problems in public
transport system in the National Capital Region (NCR) is the proper and
planned traffic management, stricter licensing system, integration of bus
services with metro and effective utilization of ring railways in the
entire region.

The long-term solution will be introduction of Unified Metropolitan
Transport Authority (UMTA) having a jurisdiction over the NCR at the
earliest. The UMTA would be empowered to deal with planning,
operationalizing, management, regulation, enforcement, etc of an effective
transport system which has the consent of all the state governments,
including Delhi, Union ministries of road transport and highways, urban
development and home affairs.

The committee also feels that the focus on public transport in the NCR
should be multi-modal (rail, road and pedestrian). In the absence of this,
personalized transport will continue to increase and public transport will
remain fragmented and scanty.

The Standing Committee decided to have the detailed study on the public
transport system of entire NCR as a large number of vehicles from the
neighbouring states criss-cross Delhi roads daily.

The committee learnt that there are about 27 agencies involved in managing
the public transport in the NCR and the existing arrangement needs a total
revamp. In fact, creation of NCR has posed newer challenges for promoting
flawless, accessible, safe, affordable transport in the region. A large
number of non-destined vehicles pass through Delhi every day. Five national
highways converge in the National Capital Territory adding to insoluble
pressure on Delhi roads.