Special panel to vet and approve govt’s key transport projects
NEWDELHI: A special panel of ministers and bureaucrats will approve the roll out of key transport projects lined up by Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party government.
Following the directions of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the transport department on Wednesday constituted a ‘high powered committee’ that will examine three proposals aimed at improving mobility in the city. The panel has been asked to submit a report with its recommendations in 10 days.
The move comes days after Kejriwal, while addressing bureaucrats in an yearender meet, said that transport and women safety would be the main focus of the Delhi government in 2018.
The committee will have five members, including PWD minister Satyendar Jain and transport minister Kailash Gahlot.
The other members are Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi chairperson Ashish Khetan, Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and principal secretary (finance) SN Sahai.
RULES FOR CAB AGGREGATORS
The controversial ‘Licensing and Regulation of App-based Cab Aggregators’ Rules, 2017’ will be one of the proposals that will be reviewed by the panel.
“The main issue of whether cab sharing should be allowed will be decided by the committee. It will also look at the new licensing rules for cab aggregators as they are currently plying without permit,” an official said. The scheme will allow people to book and pay for seats in AC buses through mobile applications. The service will mostly cater to office-goers who currently use their private cars for daily commute. The policy would lay rules for app-based cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. Cab sharing, licensing process, penalties etc. to be reviewed
The 'Kaali-peeli' taxis will also have fresh rules.
The policy aims to remove surge pricing as a maximum fare will be fixed. Charging beyond that fare would attract heavy fines.
Also, it states that a cab aggregator will have to take a licence from the transport department for operating in the national Capital, the cost of which would vary from ₹10 lakh to ₹5 crore for a period of five years, depending on the number of taxis attached.
APP-BASED AC BUS SERVICE
The ‘App-based AC Bus Service, Transport minister PWD minister Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi chairperson
Chief Secretary
Principal secretary (finance)
2017’ project that was drafted in July last year will also be examined by the committee.
The service, once launched, will enable people, especially office-goers, to book a seat in an AC bus in advance using a mobile application.
“Modalities like what would be the minimum fare, the size and number of buses will be decided by the committee,” a government official said.
The transport department had recommended ₹50 as the minimum fare for the service as it did not want to divert the rider-
ship of buses and the metro.
CITY TAXI SCHEME
The ‘City Taxi Scheme, 2017’ that lays down rules for economy and deluxe taxis such as the kaalipeelis will be vetted by the panel. The scheme will make it mandatory for all such taxis to have an LCD display panel on the roof of the car.
The display should be in green, if it is available and in red if occupied.
Besides, they will be allowed to serve passengers only on point-to-point basis.