New Delhi

In a significant step towards reforming urban mobility in the national capital, the Delhi government led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has initiated the drafting of a comprehensive legislation to establish the Delhi Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (DUMTA) along with a dedicated Delhi Urban Transport Fund (DUTF).

According to an official statement, the proposed Bill aims to streamline and integrate Delhi’s currently fragmented transport system under a single, coordinated planning and governance framework. The move is seen as a key milestone in the government’s vision to develop a modern, efficient, citizen-friendly and environmentally sustainable transport network for the Capital.

To ensure timely and inclusive formulation of the law, the Chief Minister has constituted a high-level task force headed by the Chief Secretary, tasked with preparing and submitting the draft Bill at the earliest. The initiative addresses long-standing demands from urban planners, transport experts and civic stakeholders for a unified authority capable of aligning planning, investment and operations across multiple agencies.

The government noted that Delhi’s rapid urbanisation, growing population and increasing vehicular load require systemic, long-term solutions rather than isolated interventions, prompting the launch of the legislative process.

The task force includes senior officials from departments such as transport, urban development, finance, planning, public works and Delhi Police, along with representatives from key institutions including the Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Transport Corporation, NCRTC and Indian Railways. Experts in urban transportation may also be co-opted to incorporate global best practices while addressing local needs.

Explaining the rationale, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that Delhi’s transport agencies have traditionally functioned in silos, leading to gaps in coordination across route planning, infrastructure creation and service delivery.

“DUMTA will bring cohesion to Delhi’s entire urban mobility ecosystem. By placing all transport modes — including metro, buses, regional rail, railways and feeder services — under a unified planning framework, we aim to deliver integrated and citizen-centric mobility solutions,” she said.

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The Chief Minister added that the proposed authority would play a crucial role in easing traffic congestion, strengthening public transport and improving last-mile connectivity, while also encouraging a shift away from private vehicles. She stressed that these measures are vital to addressing air pollution and ensuring sustainable urban growth in the national capital.