BENGALURU: On the lines of London and Singapore, the state government plans to set up an Integrated Road Transport Authority headed by the Chief Minister to establish a hassle-free transportation for the city’s residents.
The authority will formulate a comprehensive plan for the city with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), traffic police and other agencies working together to ensure a better travelling experience for the public.
“This move will ensure physical, financial and informational integration among all forms of transport. It will move towards formation of a unified Metropolitan Transport Authority for the city. It is something on the lines of that in London and Singapore,” Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development, Mahendra Jain told TNIE.
“It will do away with disruption and ensure quicker decision making as well as quicker funding for all projects initiated.”
Citing the example of the Kempegowda hub, Jain said, “At the Majestic area, KSRTC, BMTC, BMRCL, and Railways have come together to ensure connectivity through all modes for the public. We want to ensure it happens everywhere.”
Coordination on the financial front will ensure a common mobility card for all forms of transport. “A smart card acceptable on all forms of transport will help commuters,” he said.
Information on arrival and departure times of all transportation modes could be brought together under one platform and conveyed to the public using social media and other forms, he said.
Hailing the move as a positive development, BMTC Managing Director V Ponnuraj said, “We will all work in tandem to ensure better traffic and transport management.”
Urban Transportation expert Sanjeev Dyamannavar was not impressed. “Such a body should be independent. Having the CM chairing politicises it and dilutes the whole idea,” he said. However, it is one small step in the right direction, he added.