Apex body to oversee all modes of transport likely

NEW DELHI: The country is set to get an apex empowered agency for preparation of comprehensive transport strategies for all modes of transport and end-to-end mobility . The proposed Integrated Transport Authority comprising planning heads of all related ministries will also carry out monitoring to ensure timely project completion. The proposal is likely to be placed before the Cabinet soon as govt focuses on accelerating transport infrastructure development to enable faster movement of people and goods, and reduce logistics costs.

At present, there is a National Project Group under department for promotion of industry and internal trade that evaluates large-scale projects, but it only has an advisory role. Officials said a group of secretaries has recommended the need for an authority similar to those in the US, the UK, Germany, Australia and Japan to handle all transport-related issues . However, they also cautioned the new agency must not become just another bureaucratic layer for going through presentations.