With an aim to implement key urban transport reforms envisioned in the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India has initiated the Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) that aims at facilitating the provision of the urban transport infrastructure and services.DSC_0388-1024x682

In this context, the experts delegated by the Ministry of Urban Development visited Cochin to conduct a State of the Art Review of the approach, usefulness, strengths/weakness and performance of existing and ongoing initiatives to establish UMTA (Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority) and UTF (Urban Transport Fund) for Cochin In this regard a joint session was organized on June 18th, 2013, in the Council Hall of the Kochi Municipal Corporation.

DSC_0390The session was presided by Worshipful Mayor, Shri. Tony Chammany, attended by Deputy Mayor Bhadra. B, Shri. Ajit Patil, Secretary, Kochi Municipal Corporation, Shri. Elias George, Managing Director, KMRL, Dr. Beena, Managing Director, Vytila Mobility Hub, City Police Commissioner, RTO, council members, and other key stake holders. The session saw a wide range of ideas from various quarters on how to implement UMTA in the city. The main concerns in the session were on two broader issues, on admission in the governing body of the UMTA and the limits of the administrative capacity of UMTA. The entire programme was co-ordinated by c-hed.