Gandhinagar: To address growing traffic-related challenges in Ahmedabad and Surat cities, the Gujarat govt has approved a proposal to set up an urban transport fund (UTF) under the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA).According to top sources, the decision was taken at the first meeting of UMTA chaired by the chief secretary. The principal secretary (urban development) and senior officials from Ahmedabad and Surat also attended the meeting in which traffic and public transport challenges were discussed.Sources close to the development said that in line with the National Urban Transport Policy, 2006, and the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, the state govt had earlier announced constitution of UMTA for Ahmedabad and Surat to strengthen urban mobility governance. “To ensure sustainable and coordinated financing for urban transport initiatives, the establishment of a dedicated UTF with initial seed funding of Rs 100 crore was decided by the UMTA committee,” sources said.Officials added that the fund will be strengthened through various innovative revenue sources, thereby ensuring sustainable urban transport financing in the state. “The UTF will support efficient last-mile connectivity and seamless multi-modal integration, which are critical to increasing public transport usage, reducing private vehicle dependence, and improving overall urban mobility,” said sources.Multi-Modal Transport Hubs (MMTHs) are being proposed which will be connected with intra-city transport through integrated transfer facilities at strategically identified locations on the city periphery and other key nodes. These integration points will help reduce traffic congestion within the city.“The UTF will support planning, development, operation, and maintenance of urban transport systems, including the development of multi-modal transport hubs, integrated fare systems and comprehensive mobility planning, development of traffic signals and junction improvements, footpaths, cycle tracks, pedestrian zones, adaptive traffic signals, public transport expansion, and electric buses,” said officials connected with the project.
