RWAs plan protests on BRT

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) Denouncing attempts by the Government to ''foist a half-baked idea on citizens'', RWA representatives of South Delhi today drew up a plan for protesting the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

''We want to see the primary research on the issue and find out where the need for a high speed corridor was warranted. We want to know who said that Khanpur, Madangir or Deoli needed urgent connection with the ISBT; most users of buses use it for short terms travels.

''Nobody alights or takes the bus at Defence Colony, Jangpura or any of the premium stations on the way. So who is this for?,'' the members of the RWAs said at a meeting.

Wing Commander J S Chadda, South Delhi Coordinator for URJA (United RWAs Joint Action), who chaired today's meeting said that the RWA heads were ''highly agitated'' at the opening of the corridor, as it had confirmed their worst nightmare.

''Even those who had looked at it as a progressive step are ruing their fate,'' he added.

RWA President of Lajpat Nagar III, Harvinder Singh, questioned the very feasibility of the project.

Vinay Walia of Lado Sarai lamented the lack of any basis for the segregated laning, when the total use of road by cycles was less than one per cent.

The meeting sought the return of the corridor to its original status without any consideration for the BRT system and an immediate blockade on any more expenses on the project.

Residents of the South Delhi areas have now decided to start protests to oppose the corridor to make sure that the Government withdraws the scheme at the earliest.

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