Delhi Establishes Task Force to Create Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority for Improved Urban Mobility

The Delhi government has established a 21-member task force tasked with creating a unified metropolitan transport authority and a dedicated fund to address the mobility challenges faced by the growing population in the capital city, according to officials on Saturday.

This task force, led by the chief secretary, will determine the structure of the Delhi Urban Metropolitan Transport Authority (DUMTA), institutional arrangements, geographical scope, and composition of the DUMTA Board.

A government notification stated, "The increased population, pollution, pressure on roads and elevated demand of streamlined and organised public transport in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) has necessitated setting up of a Delhi Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority."

The DUMTA, once established, will develop a comprehensive strategic mobility plan, foster effective coordination among various urban transport agencies operating in Delhi-NCR, and oversee a Delhi Urban Transport Fund (DUTF).

Additionally, the task force will support the enactment of a DUMTA Bill in consultation with stakeholders, including state and Central agencies, private and public institutions, and local associations.

The task force will also organize Board meetings to identify and establish the vision, mission, and goals of this new transport authority.

The Additional Chief Secretary of the urban development department will serve as member secretary of the task force. Administrative secretaries from transport, finance, planning, and PWD departments will be members.

Other members include the Delhi Development Authority vice-chairman; commissioners of Delhi Police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi; tourism secretary; Delhi Jal Board CEO; representatives from the National Highways Authority of India, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Cantonment, and NCR Planning Board; Northern Railways divisional manager; and managing directors of Delhi Transport Corporation, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, and National Capital Region Transport Corporation.

The chairman will also appoint two to three urban transportation experts to the task force, according to the notification.

The task force has been directed to submit its report on the formation of DUMTA and DUTF to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor within three weeks.