Modi announces Multimodal Affordable Transport Authority (MATA)

Press release, Ahmedabad, 6 September 2012

The first Asia BRT conference was inaugurated today on 6th September 2012 by Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi. The three day conference is being organized by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited and Centre of Excellence in Urban Transport, CEPT University and supported by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and Urban Development & Urban Housing Department, Government of Gujarat.

In his inaugural address, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi appreciated the initiative of holding an international event on such an important aspect of public transport system. He highlighted the importance of a holistic and integrated approach to move towards an energy efficient and sustainable future. He also announced setting up of a Multimodal Affordable Transport Authority (MATA) to ensure development of integrated multi-model systems.

Delegates from fifteen international cities – Singapore, Cebu (Philippines), Colombo and Matale (Sri Lanka), Jakarta( Indonesia) ,Jinan (China), Lahore (Pakistan), Seoul (South Korea), Taipei (Taiwan), Lalitpur and Kathmandu (Nepal), Thimpu (Bhutan), Lagos( Nigeria), Guayaquil (Ecuador) and Bogotá (Columbia) along with fifteen Indian cities are attending this conference.

The objectives of the conference are:

To share knowledge from projects related to BRTS
To exchange experiences from peer Asian cities during various phases of BRTS planning, implementation and operations.
To discuss establishment of Asia BRTS Association (ABA), an international forum of Asian BRTS cities for cooperation, collaboration, sharing of knowledge and business development.

For the inaugural session, Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra, Municipal Commissioner Ahmedabad gave the welcome address and provided an overview of the conference.

The key note address was given by Prof Anil Baijal, Former Secretary, MoUD and Chairman, National Institute of Urban Affairs in which he emphasized on important aspects like as ICE (Information , Communication & Education ) strategy, development of unified authority for urban transport, financial sustainability, redesigning of city roads for non-motorised modes, intensification of development along corridors, last mile connectivity, and branding for future BRTS projects.

Mr I.P. Gautam, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, Government of Gujarat discussed the acute urban transportation problems faced by the Asian cities and how BRT system in Ahmedabad has helped mitigate some of these problems in Ahmedabad. He highlighted that this conference will provide a platform for Asian cities to share their experiences, learning and best practices in planning, implementation and operations of BRT systems.

The inaugural session ended with a vote of thanks from Prof.H.M. Shivanand Swamy, Executive Director, CoE-Urban Transport, CEPT University, Ahmedabad.