Revive Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority by November 1, says Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has directed that the Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority (KMTA), launched in 2020 but remained defunct ever since, be revived by November 1.

It also must be provided with adequate number of personnel, including expert members. The benefits from the effective functioning of the authority for Kochi cannot be understated, since it can help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. It can also integrate bus, metro and ferry systems, augment last-mile connectivity and help rationalise the fare in public transport vehicles apart from readying a parking policy, said a Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji while considering a public interest litigation filed by Richard Rajesh Kumar and Arjun P. Bhaskar.

These would in turn provide better access to mobility options for residents and tourists, while boosting economic growth and urban renewal. The KMTA would thus help make an effective change in the urban transport system in the region. By creating a Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) for Kochi, but letting it remain on paper, the object of providing a sustainable and planned urban transport system for residents of Kochi is being nullified.

KMTA Act

The KMTA Act that was notified in 2019 provides for the creation of an MTA for each urban mobility area in Kerala. Their duties include forming a comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) that provides for a safe, sustainable, efficient and coordinated urban transport systems. There cannot be any doubt that considering the functions of the authority, a city like Kochi must have a robust public transport system. But since its formation, no meetings were held, neither was an Urban Transport Fund set up. In addition, ₹17.40 lakh that the government sanctioned for the MTA was not utilised so far, the court observed.

It further directed the CEO of KMTA to submit a proposal to the government about its infrastructure needs and also to ready an Urban Transport Fund.

The petitioners had submitted that the ‘inaction’ on the part of the State was violative of the Kerala Metropolitan Transport Authority Act and caused injustice to commuters.