Revival of Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority in cold storage

Over two months after the Kerala High Court set November 1 as the deadline to revive the Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority (KMTA), which had been launched in 2020 with much fanfare and vested with powers to transform the transportation landscape of the Greater Kochi area and reduce carbon emissions, the authority remains a non-starter.

While considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Richard Rajesh Kumar and Arjun P. Bhaskar of Kochi on the matter, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji had observed in August that the KMTA held immense potential to integrate bus, metro, ferry, and other modes of public transport, augment last-mile connectivity, rationalise fares in public transport vehicles, and formulate a parking policy.

Expressing shock over the continuing delay in reviving the authority, Mr. Rajesh Kumar said that five precious years had been lost due to the State government’s failure to sanction adequate manpower and funds for the KMTA. “With nothing effective being done in this regard, we might have to file a contempt of court petition before the High Court this month as a last resort. This is because the model code of conduct for the local body polls will soon come into effect, further delaying the revival of the KMTA, which was envisaged as a one-stop solution to address worsening traffic congestion, parking problems, and related issues. The authority, said to be the first in India with legislative backing, needs a full-time chief executive officerand sufficient number of experts,” he added.

Echoing a similar view, Mr. Bhaskar said that the government must ensure the revival of the KMTA is not merely for name’s sake and that the High Court’s order in this regard is duly implemented. Kochi needs such an agency to streamline the operation of multiple modes of transport, he added.

Key stakeholders have emphasised the need for a team of proven experts at the helm of the authority to ensure its effective functioning and prevent it from becoming yet another toothless tiger.

Expressing concern over the State government’s continued delay in the matter, a senior MVD official said it was high time the KMTA was taken out of cold storage. “In most cases, the role of coordination is mistaken for leadership in such bodies. Specialists with proven expertise and leadership experience should head these institutions,” he said.

The only two urban transport experts in the KMTA, who had earlier been associated with Kochi Metro Rail Limited, reportedly resigned from the authority over two years ago citing non-payment of salary, which eventually led to the closure of its office. With the KMTA remaining defunct, the task of preparing a revised comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) for Kochi was handed over to KMRL.