New law may be enacted for mass rapid transport

New law may be enacted for mass rapid transport

The Hindu

The proposal is aimed at helping quick implementation of metro rail

# Metro rail is being implemented under the Indian Railways Act
# A new law will help the Government decide on the funding model
# It will take into account local conditions with regard to land acquisition

BANGALORE: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRC) is working on a new draft law to provide for easier and faster implementation of mass rapid transport systems in the State. It will soon submit a proposal to the State Government.

The law will help in speedier implementation of the metro rail as it will have provisions that take into account the local conditions and requirements of the proposed metro rail.

Metro rail is now being implemented under the Indian Railways Act, which does not take into account many challenges the proposed mass rapid transport system faces. Most important, the new law will enable the State Government to accept any financial model — private funding or public-private joint venture — in the implementation of any mass rapid transport system. While the metro will come up with State and Central funds, one of the private companies promoting a monorail system has offered to introduce it using its own funds fully.

The State Government will be able to accept the proposal if feasible. There is no such provision under the existing laws, according to BMRC sources.

The proposed law will cover a host of other issues: safety regulations, setting up of any authority to ensure safety of commuters, appointment of accident claims commissioner, procedures to determine fair, land acquisition, rehabilitation of displaced families, payment of compensation, surveys to be conducted, alignments of the projects and traffic management during construction.

As of now, the BMRC is following the Delhi Metro model in these aspects.

Questions had been raised about the safety of the metro rail several months ago. The Centre had assured that the Commissioner of Railway Safety would ensure its safety.

BMRC managing director V. Madhu said this aspect would be given importance. Once the civil work started, all safety norms followed by Delhi Metro would be followed here too.

Once the law was put in place, it could become a model for other States in the country, Mr. Madhu said.

At present, no State had a law on mass transport systems, he added.