Ahmedabad: AMC flip-flop on BRTS raises hackles

Ahmedabad, Dec 24: The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) being planned by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) would not bring much relief to the traffic-weary people of Ahmedabad city, but lead to colossal wastage of public funds running into thousands of crores.

According to Ahmedabad Nagrik Hitrakshak Samiti convenor Girishbhai Mistry, instead of building a split bridge from Odhav to Rakhial to facilitate the BRTS project on the state highway, the AMC has instead proposed to build a split bridge near the crossroads of Soni-ni-chawl towards Narol-Naroda on the national highway, which is regrettable as there is intense traffic congestion. Apart from wastage of funds it would also deprive the people of Odhav and Rakhial the benefits of the BRTS.

''As per the original BRTS plan, if a split bridge in the direction of Odhav to Rakhial is built, it would immensely help relieve traffic congestion emanating from the national highway from Mumbai to Delhi. This traffic presently comes from the eastern parts of Sardar Patel ring road to Odhav Rakhial-Kalupur,'' Mr Mistry told UNI.

''The BRTS envisages 64 cross junctions for a 25 km stretch, where passengers would board and exit and this could take 64 minutes at one minute per stoppage. To ply from one terminus to another, it would take another 40 minutes, then roughly 100 minutes will be spent reaching from one end to another and during this time, an AMTS bus would be able to maneuver the same distance in much less time and so would other private operators. If so, what is the need to spend Rs 1000 crore when the BRTS' speed itself is suspect?'' asked Mr Mistry.

''The BRTS, which will run between the split bridges, has a corridor width of seven metres. With curbs of 0.50 metres on both sides, a trailer BRTS bus would get a space of 3.25 metres which is hardly sufficient since the bus itself would be 2.50 metres,'' said Mr Mistry.

''Since it moves on road, the risk of puncture or breakdown is always there which could leave traffic flowing on both sides in disarray'', he added.

''With the AMC scrapping the earlier proposal and changing the direction overnight to south-north from Narol to Naroda, a new work order was issued for Rs 22 crore after tenders and survey work. This abrupt change, according to the AMC, was necessitated due to the BRTS proposal. Interestingly, both the old and new proposals were issued to the same contractor'', said Mr Mistry.

''The scheme of the BRTS would cost Rs 1000 crore once it reaches the third phase,'' said Action Group Gujarat Chief Priyavadan Shah.

''Seven such BRTS systems have been mooted in the state amounting to Rs 7,000 crore. If the scheme does not benefit the people then whom is it meant for?'', asked Mr Shah.

UNI