In an attempt to give a fresh impetus to public-private partnership (PPP) in the transport sector, the Uttar Pradesh government will soon set up the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Passenger Infrastructure Development Corporation.
The corporation will focus on upgrading the passenger-related infrastructure in the state, including acquisition of land and setting up bus stations.
The state cabinet meeting last week approved a proposal to this effect. The corporation will work as a subsidiary of the UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to improve passenger amenities. The UPSRTC managing director, to be appointed by the state government, will be the ex-officio chairman of the subsidiary.
At a recent meeting with top officials, Chief Minister Mayawati had asked the various departments, including transport, tourism, sugar, power and education, to finalise their PPP strategies by this month so that actual work could start in right earnest.
UPSRTC owns a fleet of about 14,000 buses, besides buses being run by private operators under contract. The state government has also opened several lucrative routes in UP for the independent private operators and will soon invite bids.