TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The State government has decided not to constitute the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) recommended under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and instead directed the State Transport Authority to perform the functions assigned to UMTA. This body which is supposed to undertake the planning and regulation of the development, operation and maintenance of public transport system is one of the main reforms mandated under JNNURM to avail of funds under the scheme.
The decision was taken ahead of Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited plans to purchase 125 buses under the JNNURM scheme and also to build a new bus terminus in a bid to shore up infrastructure in Goa. However, one of the reforms under the scheme provided for formation of UMTA to carry out certain functions under the scheme pertaining to KTC.
“However, Goa being a State having small topographical area, government has directed the STA to carry out the functions of UMTA,” director transport Arun Desai stated in the notification issued Thursday.
Under JNNURM, the STA has to integrate and consolidate all the action plans of various departments and agencies and ensure implementation of traffic and transportation plans and deliberate and recommend effective transport strategies.
STA will have to also approve all traffic and transportation proposals/projects from any agency, all new initiatives, facilitate public transportation which is economical to users, coordinate among its various elements, and ensure that transportation is economical, safe, efficient and well maintained.
It will also have to take policy decisions with regard to establishment of Urban Transport Fund, including sources of revenues for the Urban Transport Fund, management of the Urban Transport Fund and utilization of its balances, among other things.
