J&K forms UMTA for metropolitan regions of Jammu and Srinagar

Jammu, India (Urban Transport News): The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government on 19th February 2021 has approved sanction for the set-up of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities (UMTAs) for the twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu. Chief Secretary of J&K B V R Subrahmanyam will head the 20-member UMTAs.

According to the plan, the members include a nominee each of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Indian Railways' Northern Division, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), among others. Apart from this,  two experts from the area of urban transportation will be nominated by the government.

The UMTAs for metropolitan regions of Jammu and Srinagar were set up under Section 16A(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MRDA) Act, said in the order issued by Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi.

The terms of reference (ToR) of UMTAs include securing the development of an integrated, efficient, modern, multi-modal mobility system including non-motorized means of mobility with a focus on the movement of people and goods instead of vehicles for the area falling in the jurisdiction of the MRDA, among others.

Talking about the scope of work of the UMTAs, it has been said that they will work to prepare a strategic plan through such internal or external consultations as deemed necessary or expedient for developing an integrated, efficient, modern and multi-modal mobility system.

The UMTAs will also formulate a policy for developing the urban transport system in the twin cities, to identify sources of finance for the development of transport infrastructure and to identify need and finalize regulatory mechanism to regulate integration between different modes, safety, fares, interoperability, and other allied aspects. They will also promote research and development on mobility.

Now, it has been hoped that the work on two proposed metro rail projects in these twin cities will speed up under the UMTAs.