+
MoHUA Directive Revives Kochi Transport Authority
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

MoHUA Directive Revives Kochi Transport Authority

In a bid to revive the Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority (KMTA), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has instructed the Chief Secretary to take necessary steps to overhaul the body. Established in November 2020, KMTA was the first of its kind in India, created to address the region's growing commuting challenges. However, the authority has been largely inactive, facing the risk of closure just four years after its commissioning.

### A Long-Standing Issue Despite initial promises, KMTA failed to streamline its operations, with transport minister Antony Raju previously committing to resolve the body’s issues two years ago. However, the lack of follow-up action left the authority in a state of disarray.

The recent directive comes after a petition from the Kochi Next Forum collective, led by Richard Rajesh Kumar and Arjun P Bhaskar. The petition highlights KMTA’s failure to meet its goals, including addressing parking issues and rationalizing bus routes, despite being envisioned as a solution to improve urban mobility.

### Previous Appeals This move follows a petition submitted by Vypeen MLA K N Unnikrishnan to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan two years ago, which pointed out that KMTA had not been fully operational. Initially tasked with integrating various modes of transport, the authority, chaired by the transport minister and vice-chaired by the transport secretary, had ambitious plans, but has made minimal progress.

### Stalled Progress KMTA's first meeting in January 2021 promised the timely implementation of integrated transport projects in Kochi. However, there has been little progress since, with the authority focusing only on forming an autorickshaw union and collaborating with bus operators. The failure to act on its broader objectives has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the body.

With the latest directive, there is renewed hope that Kochi’s metropolitan transport system will finally receive the attention it urgently needs.

In a bid to revive the Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority (KMTA), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has instructed the Chief Secretary to take necessary steps to overhaul the body. Established in November 2020, KMTA was the first of its kind in India, created to address the region's growing commuting challenges. However, the authority has been largely inactive, facing the risk of closure just four years after its commissioning. ### A Long-Standing Issue Despite initial promises, KMTA failed to streamline its operations, with transport minister Antony Raju previously committing to resolve the body’s issues two years ago. However, the lack of follow-up action left the authority in a state of disarray. The recent directive comes after a petition from the Kochi Next Forum collective, led by Richard Rajesh Kumar and Arjun P Bhaskar. The petition highlights KMTA’s failure to meet its goals, including addressing parking issues and rationalizing bus routes, despite being envisioned as a solution to improve urban mobility. ### Previous Appeals This move follows a petition submitted by Vypeen MLA K N Unnikrishnan to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan two years ago, which pointed out that KMTA had not been fully operational. Initially tasked with integrating various modes of transport, the authority, chaired by the transport minister and vice-chaired by the transport secretary, had ambitious plans, but has made minimal progress. ### Stalled Progress KMTA's first meeting in January 2021 promised the timely implementation of integrated transport projects in Kochi. However, there has been little progress since, with the authority focusing only on forming an autorickshaw union and collaborating with bus operators. The failure to act on its broader objectives has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the body. With the latest directive, there is renewed hope that Kochi’s metropolitan transport system will finally receive the attention it urgently needs.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?