Multi-modal integration likely to be delayed as CUMTA yet to be notified

C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Four years after the bill was passed in the assembly, the Chennai
Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority Act (CUMTA Act) is yet to
be notified.
Official sources told Express that CUMTA Act, which was to frame an
urban transport policy for the Chennai Metropolitan Area on the lines
of National Urban Transport Policy, received the assent of the
governor on November 27, 2010 and was published in the Tamil Nadu
Gazette Extraordinary on December 2, 2010.
But date of effect of the CUMTA Act is yet to be notified by the
government, the sources said. It is learnt that it could result in
delay of integration of all public mass passenger transport modes by
means of various measures including routing and scheduling, operating
feeder services and combined or common ticketing to facilitate
seamless commuting options to the public.
Currently, the state government has 10 different agencies, which are
involved in traffic and transportation management in Chennai
Metropolitan area and governed by various ministries and department.
Sources said since many agencies are involved in planning, providing
operations and managing transportation system in the CMA, the role of
such agencies overlap each other resulting in the need for a unified
agency for proper coordination and streamlining of the activities
among various agencies.
Interestingly, the law department has vetted the recommendations of
the 3rd meeting of CUMTA Rule Making Committee which was held on
December 19, 2013. The deliberations dwelt on appointment of a chief
executive officer and making the CEO as the member secretary of CUMTA.
It also suggested that the chief urban planner of Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority may be made member convenor of CUMTA by amending
CUMTA Act suitably.
But the issue is CMDA does not have a planner who has expertise in
transport after the retirement of chief planner K Kumar . Sources said
there are couple of planners, who studied transport planning using
CMDA funds but they are being underutilized in area plans unit.
“There is an urgent need to make use of their expertise as Chennai
Metro Rail is set to take shape by the end of this year. The
government can even take the help of retired planners who have
expertise in transportation,” sources added.


CUMTA dateline:
1994: TN plans establishment of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority
Nov 27, 2010: CUMTA receives assent of governor
December, 2, 2010: Published in TN Gazette Extraordinary
February 9, 2012: First meeting held under Transport Minister
July, 2012: First Executive Committee Meeting held
December, 2013: CUMTA Rule Making committee holds third meeting
Current Status:
1.   Date of effect of CUMTA Act yet to be notified
2.   The working committees are meeting regularly
3.   CMDA has initiated a study on multi-modal integration of four
rail corridors of Chennai Metropolitan Area
4.   Working committee of non-motorised transport implementing
initiatives such as laying of footpaths, bicycle tracks etc