BENGALURU : The much-awaited Integrated Road Transport Authority (IRTA), which will bring different modes of urban mobility services under one umbrella, is likely to become operational by March next.The government has prepared a draft bill and sought suggestions from stakeholders. As per the bill, IRTA is expected to address issues like lack of single-ticketing system, poor coordination among multiple agencies, inadequate information of transport services and absence of first-and last-mile connectivity.The government had, in 2007, constituted the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) with the same objectives. However, the authority, which was chaired by the chief secretary, has since become defunct, with consecutive governments not empowering it officially.Now, the government is forming IRTA under the chairmanship of chief minister and Bengaluru development minister as vice-chairman. Its members will include transport minister, chief secretary, secretaries from transport, urban development and finance departments and representatives from agencies like DULT, town planning, BBMP, BDA, BMRDA, BMRCL, BMTC, traffic police, SWR, NHAI and independent experts.“BMLTA lacked autonomy and was toothless. It was supposed to meet every two months but failed to do so because of poor coordination between the agencies and officials. We hope IRTA won’t make the same mistakes,” a former BMLTA member said.Sources say IRTA will be responsible for preparing a comprehensive city mobility plan which includes financing, construction, operation of facilities and services.The authority will also prepare guidelines to determine fares for mass transport modes like BMTC and Metro and also introduce common ticketing system in consultation with respective agencies. It will provide inputs on BMTC’s bus route allocations, issuance of permits and licence for public vehicles like autorickshaws. It’ll facilitate a central database to provide users with real-time information on various transport modes.Mahendra Jain, additional chief secretary, urban development department , said the draft bill will have to be approved by various departments before it can be placed before the cabinet and legislature. “It will come into effect by March. The proposed authority will have powers to coordinate, promote and monitor the implementation of various urban transport modes,” he added.

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