Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) Bill, 2022

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• Recently, The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed The Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) Bill, 2022.

Major Highlights of the Bill 

• Application:
  • The legislation will be applicable to the Urban Mobility Region of Bengaluru.
• Aim:
  • It is aimed at the regulation of development, operation, maintenance, monitoring and supervision of urban mobility.
• Members of BMLTA:
  • BMLTA will consist of 36 members with the Chief Minister of Karnataka as its ex-officio chairman.
  • Representatives from agencies such as BBMP, Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Bengaluru City Police, Southwestern Railways and National Highway Authority of India would also be included. 
• What can BMLTA do?
  • It can establish an appropriate framework for engagement of the private sector in planning, development and management of mobility service delivery and effective contract execution by the Urban Transport Agencies, Traffic Management Agencies and Infrastructure Development Agencies.
  • Recommending policy measures, issuance of permits, registration of vehicles, operation of mobility services, handling of goods, management of traffic flow. 
  • It will also prepare a parking policy, non-motorised transport policy, transit-oriented development policy, multi-modal integration policy and freight transport policy. 
• Penalties:
  • Any person failing to comply with the rules, regulations, orders or directions of BMLTA can be punished with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, which will extend to Rs 2 lakh for a second violation. 
• Significance of the Bill:
  • It will ensure a Comprehensive Mobility Plan for the city by adopting sustainable urban transport models.
  • The legislation also provides for measures such as congestion parking, parking regulations, tolling, special purpose lanes etc. to regulate travel demand in the Urban Mobility Region.

What was the need of this Bill?

• Traffic congestion in Bengaluru is a major worry for the state government.
• There have also been complaints of a lack of coordination between various transport and civic bodies, due to which public transport projects have been delayed.

Source: IE