In order to provide exposure to new and upcoming reforms in the transport sector to the States, the Centre has convened a Transport Development Council next week in Gujarat. Road Ministry officials said that the Director of Transport for london (TFl) will also participate in this discussion via video conferencing, along with other experts in the sector.
The State Ministers are scheduled to discuss issues like public transport reforms, seamless transport system across the State borders, identification of deadly black spots on roads, digitalisation of payments, Inter-State transfer of private vehicles and citizen facilitation amongst other issues.
The council meeting, to be chaired by Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will give an opportunity to the State Transport Ministers to get an exposure to the new and upcoming reforms in the transport sector. There will be a discussion on the subject of Public Transport Reforms and way forward to Bus Ports. Transport Development Council (TDC) is the apex body that advises the Centre on matters relating to roads and road transport and the crucial 38th meeting would be held at Vadodara on September 19.
“The council meeting will give an opportunity to the State Transport Ministers to get an exposure on the new and upcoming reforms in the transport sector. There will be a discussion on the subject of public transport reforms and way forward to bus ports,” the statement said.
The Ministers will also be taken on a guided tour of the Vadodara bus terminal and the Vadodara automated driving testing track to help them get a first-hand account of such modern facilities so that these can be replicated back in their respective States. According to the statement, the issue of all India tourist bus permits is likely to figure in the discussion.
On road safety, the Ministry has asked all States to draw up action plans to reduce such fatalities. In addition, the Supreme Court-appointed Road Safety Committee had directed States to prepare target-oriented action plans. In the upcoming meeting, all States are slated to furnish the action taken report in this regard.
“The Transport Council will also discuss seamless transport across State borders under the GST regime. A task force has been constituted by the GST Council to suggest measures for creating an ecosystem for seamless road transport connectivity across the country,” the statement read.