The National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006 framed by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India recommended setting up of a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) for every million plus city in India. The Government of Karnataka was the first to respond to this suggestion by creating the Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) – the UMTA for Bangalore Metropolitan Region (BMR).
BMLTA was created for BMR vide GO No. UDD 134 BMR 2006 (2) Bangalore 09.03.2007 as an executive order.
This body is the first of its kind to be set-up in Karnataka to coordinate and integrate all land transport activities in Bangalore; monitoring and reviewing them and ensuring their sustainable implementation. The Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka is the Chairperson of BMLTA, and the Member Convener of the same is Commissioner, Directorate Urban Land Transport (DULT). Members of the authority include heads of various agencies involved in urban Transport sector in Bangalore Metropolitan Region.
A public consultation workshop on BMLTA Act draft will be held on March 3rd 2010.
Venue: Institute of Town Planner, Bangalore, India at 3 PM. The draft act is also published in the website of Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) and Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), for general public opinion till date.
The BMLTA Act has been drafted and was discussed in earlier BMLTA meetings held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka. The Draft act is now published in the website of BMLTA and Directorate of Urban Land Transport for public opinion. BMLTA invites opinion from general public on Draft Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority Act.
Some of the salient features of the act are listed below:
• Powers of authority to Issue directions to the internal stakeholders like BMRDA, BDA, BBMP, BMTC, BMRCL and any other government controlled agency engaged in or with the transport sector on matters relating to the land based transport system development, construction, operation and maintenance;
• To review and suggest modifications, amendments or alterations to the Master Plans/Comprehensive Development Plans/City Development Plans or Local Area Plans prepared and submitted by the internal stakeholders of the Government in respect of transport planning and matters relating to integration of transport planning and transport planning;
• To appoint consultants for carrying out studies identified in the Master Plan or as directed by the Government;
• To enter in to commercial contracts while awarding contracts to agencies for implementation;
• To frame its rules and regulations for the functioning of the Authority including recruitment, fixing of compensation, service rules, budgeting, expenditure control, procurement of goods and services and seeking financial assistance;
• To recommend suitable amendments to the building bye laws to mandate provision of parking, entry and exit routes in the construction and maintenance of structures, buildings, complexes and public places;
• Framing of policies by any agencies under BMR limits.
For complete document of the Draft BMLTA act, click here and here. Member Convener proposes to organise a meeting with general public on the draft act published on websites on March 3rd 2010.
Public can also also send in their opinion and confirm their participation in the meeting at dultbangalore[at]gmail[dot]com or to Director, Directorate of Urban Land Transport, Room No 504, 5th Floor, 4th Gate, M S Building, Bangalore – 560001. ⊕