The Telangana Congress government is embarking on a major overhaul of Hyderabad’s civic infrastructure, with ambitious plans to extend metro rail connectivity, develop new link roads, and enhance first and last-mile connectivity to encourage greater public transport usage. However, the successful execution of these plans hinges not just on financial resources but also on resolving complex coordination issues among various departments.
The challenge extends beyond mere financial considerations to include intricate inter-departmental coordination. Agencies involved span a broad spectrum, including the Water Board, Power Utilities, National Highways, Roads & Buildings, Telecom, Fire Services, Road Transport Corporation (RTC), and Railways. The need for effective collaboration among these entities has highlighted a significant hurdle in advancing infrastructure projects.
One potential solution lies in the revival of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA), originally established as part of the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP). Hyderabad was among the early adopters of UMTA, creating a body intended to streamline urban infrastructure and promote public transport. However, this body became inactive after several years of operation, rendering it ineffective in addressing the current challenges. The UMTA, chaired by the Chief Secretary, includes key members from the Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD), Transport, Finance, Traffic Police, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metro Rail, and South Central Railway. The reactivation of UMTA could provide a much-needed mechanism for overcoming the coordination hurdles that have plagued recent infrastructure projects.
Hyderabad Metro Rail has been working to align with various stakeholders, including Railways and National Highways, to avoid delays in approvals and ensure a seamless process for securing ‘Right of Way’. The revival of UMTA would be instrumental in centralising decision-making and expediting approvals, thereby smoothing the path for the city’s ambitious infrastructure upgrades. While Hyderabad’s plans for modernising its transport infrastructure are promising, the effective revival and utilisation of UMTA could be the key to overcoming the current roadblocks and ensuring the successful implementation of these critical projects.
