Gujarat Constitutes UMTA With Rs One Billion Urban Transport Fund
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Gujarat Constitutes UMTA With Rs One Billion Urban Transport Fund

The Gujarat government has constituted the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) to tackle traffic congestion in Ahmedabad and Surat and to coordinate city buses, bus rapid transit services and metro rail while improving last mile connectivity from homes to workplaces. The authority will strengthen urban public transport management and oversee integrated planning across modes.

At its first committee meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, the authority approved an Urban Transport Fund of Rs one billion (Rs1 bn) as seed capital. The corpus is expected to be provided through a budgetary provision in the state government’s 2026–27 budget. The committee also approved three initiatives for Ahmedabad and Surat — One City, One Mobility Card, a Common Mobility Plan and enhanced last mile connectivity — and asked municipal commissioners to submit detailed reports promptly.

The proposed One City, One Mobility Card will allow passengers to use a single payment system across bus rapid transit services, city buses including AMTS and metro rail within a fixed distance, and both municipal corporations were directed to expedite its launch along with a dedicated transport mobile application. The Common Mobility Plan will map existing routes and identify underserved corridors where services will be introduced. The last mile initiative aims to improve access from homes to workplaces, increase the usability of mass transit and reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Major multimodal transport hubs are planned at key metro junctions in Ahmedabad, including Motera and Thaltej, where integrated feeder services will connect surrounding areas and help ease parking congestion. The Urban Transport Fund is expected to support planning, implementation, operations and maintenance of strengthened public transport systems in both cities. Gujarat is adopting elements of models that operate in states such as Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and intends to extend the framework to other major urban centres.

The Gujarat government has constituted the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) to tackle traffic congestion in Ahmedabad and Surat and to coordinate city buses, bus rapid transit services and metro rail while improving last mile connectivity from homes to workplaces. The authority will strengthen urban public transport management and oversee integrated planning across modes. At its first committee meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, the authority approved an Urban Transport Fund of Rs one billion (Rs1 bn) as seed capital. The corpus is expected to be provided through a budgetary provision in the state government’s 2026–27 budget. The committee also approved three initiatives for Ahmedabad and Surat — One City, One Mobility Card, a Common Mobility Plan and enhanced last mile connectivity — and asked municipal commissioners to submit detailed reports promptly. The proposed One City, One Mobility Card will allow passengers to use a single payment system across bus rapid transit services, city buses including AMTS and metro rail within a fixed distance, and both municipal corporations were directed to expedite its launch along with a dedicated transport mobile application. The Common Mobility Plan will map existing routes and identify underserved corridors where services will be introduced. The last mile initiative aims to improve access from homes to workplaces, increase the usability of mass transit and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Major multimodal transport hubs are planned at key metro junctions in Ahmedabad, including Motera and Thaltej, where integrated feeder services will connect surrounding areas and help ease parking congestion. The Urban Transport Fund is expected to support planning, implementation, operations and maintenance of strengthened public transport systems in both cities. Gujarat is adopting elements of models that operate in states such as Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and intends to extend the framework to other major urban centres.

Next Story
Real Estate

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

-->