A day after the 5.8 km-long Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor was scrapped, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Wednesday announced that it will come up with a new model of bus passageway largely based on successful model of Ahmedabad.
“BRT as a concept was not bad but it was implemented without taking ground realities of Delhi into consideration. We will come up with a new model of BRT after wide consultations with all the <g data-gr-id="42">stake holders</g>,” said Gopal Rai, Transport Minister of Delhi government.
The government has also planned to organise a seminar on ‘Delhi Transport Vision Conference’ on July 29 to reach out experts, NGOs and other <g data-gr-id="43">stake holders</g> on the new model of BRT, besides developing a new integrated public transport policy for the city.
The existing BRT Corridor was constructed at the cost of Rs 150 crore by the then Sheila Dikshit government, besides funds were pumped into <g data-gr-id="47">intelligent</g> traffic signal system. However, it failed to restore the confidence of people.
“The existing BRT model has bus stops in the middle of the road due to which the passengers have to cross the vehicular carriageway to reach footpath and vice versa. It is the main cause of accidents for pedestrians,” said Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP MLA from Greater Kailash, who was instrumental to scrap the project.
According to a senior officer of transport department, it was really difficult to implement the project as the road between Delhi Gate and Ambedkar Nagar was always busy. “The new BRT will be implemented on a less congested road in Delhi as drivers and pedestrians need time to adopt the new traffic signals and behaviour on roads,” said the officer.
The previous government had planned 26 BRT corridors of around 310 km in three phases, out of which Detailed Project Report (DPR) were approved for five BRT Corridors. Intense criticism forced the then Dikshit government to leave even the first BRT Corridor was in the <g data-gr-id="48">mid way</g>. It was originally a 14.5 km-long corridor from Delhi Gate to Ambedkar <g data-gr-id="54">Nagar,</g> but was constructed only 5.8 km
till Moolchand.
“Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) expresses deep shock at the willful decision of the Delhi government to give in to the car lobby and dismantle the bus corridor to take road space back from buses for the cars. This is a regressive step and gives a wrong signal when the city is gasping for breath and the lungs of every third child are impaired,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, CSE’s executive director.
The minister said various government agencies like PWD, DDA, DMRC, DTC, <g data-gr-id="46">DIMTS</g>, Delhi Dialogue Commission, Finance Department, Environment Department, Delhi Traffic Police, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Union Urban Ministry and representatives of corporate houses like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland Ltd, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and BaJaj Auto Ltd and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) will attend the brain storming session.