The government is likely to establish National Mass Transit Authority (Namta) for conducting feasibility studies to plan and develop mass transit system for major cities as the Punjab is unwilling to attach itself with the centre, official sources told Business Recorder here on Sunday.
The sources said that the issue is being placed before Council of Common Interests (CCI) as this subject of railways comes under the purview of this forum. The idea to start mass transit system at major cities is being considered imminent because of non-availability of affordable and reliable public transport which forces commuters to use their own transport.
The Ministry of Railways is of the view that road's use regardless of its mode has limitations of time and space. Vehicular congestion on roads is now a fact of life in all cities causing heavy loss in terms of time and fuel.
Only in two years, for example, the average travel time between the blue area in Islamabad to the Rawalpindi Railway Station has increased by nearly thirty minutes. At rush hours road traffic movement in most urban areas has been reduced to a crawl.
Taking cognisance of the situation, a presentation was made by the Ministry of Railways to the Prime Minister on August 24, 2006 emphasising the need for evolving rail-based Mass Transit System in eight major cities namely Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi-Islamabad and Quetta.
The Prime Minister, appreciating the urgency of the matter, decided that Namta - a statutory entity - be created under the Ministry of Railways, separate from Pakistan Railway.
However, the representative of the Punjab government during the meeting stated that the province would conduct feasibility studies for Mass Transit Programme and the subsequent execution and operation of the system through the provincial government itself.
The Prime Minister agreed with the proposal stating that any province which wishes to develop, finance and operate mass transit schemes in urban areas itself was free to do so.
The other provinces have, meanwhile, requested the Ministry of Railways to plan the mass transit programme in major cities in these provinces. After the feasibility studies are complete Namta and the provincial governments would decide how best to establish, finance and operate the system.
THE FUNCTIONS AND ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSED BODY, AS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE PRIME MINISTER WOULD BE AS UNDER:
(i) The authority would be headed by Secretary, Ministry of Railways as Chairman and will consist of a Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director and a Board of Directors, comprising Secretaries Planning and Development, Finance and Communications Division; professionals and representatives from all provincial governments and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
(ii) The authority, upon the request and advice of the provinces / ICT, shall conduct feasibility studies to plan and develop mass transport system for major cities and will also served as one window for the donors and investors for financing investments.
(iii) The detailed structure and functions of authority in the shape of draft bill has been prepared by the Ministry of Railways in consultation with the provinces / ICT and the relevant ministries of the federal government.
(iv) The mode of financing and execution of these projects would be mutually decided by the provinces / ICT and the authority.
(v) The operation and maintenance of mass transit system shall preferably be out sourced.
(vi) The authority would be exclusively responsible for determining and monitoring the construction, operation and safety parameters of all rail-based mass transit projects.
The sources said that the subject of railways is mentioned in part-II item 1 of the fourth schedule of the federal legislative list of the constitution, which comes within the purview of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in terms of article 154 of the constitution.
The subject of transportation in cities, not being national highways or strategic roads (item 34 of part-I of fourth schedule of federal legislative list) is mentioned neither in the federal legislative list nor the concurrent legislative list and, therefore, apparently falls in the serial number 33 'mechanically propelled vehicles' which may cover the subject of rail-based urban transportation for which purpose a reference to the CCI appears to be in order before any federal legislation on the subject takes place.
In view of the need for ensuring standardisation of the operational modes, construction parameters, manufacturing of rolling stock, evolving monitoring, supervisory and safety mechanism, a development and regulatory authority in the country on the lines of Namta is required though statute.
Since there is a need for developing a consensus amongst the provinces/ICT on the subject before the concept of Namta is developed and formalised, it is deemed appropriate that the proposed functions of Namta and the draft bill be placed before the CCI for consideration at its next session.
Once the concept is approved by the CCI, the proposal for legislation will be placed before the federal cabinet for approval to enable the Law Ministry to finalise the draft bill in terms of rule-27 of the rules of business.