Save Delhiites from BRT torture, demand Rajya Sabha Members

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) The plight of Delhiites due to the introduction of the BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) on a trial basis in the capital found an echo in the Rajya Sabha today with the Members demanding immediate scrapping of the ''ill-conceived'' scheme.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the House, nominated Member and senior journalist Chandan Mitra said the entire city was suffering because of the BRT which had been introduced on a 5.8 km stretch in south Delhi without consulting the public.

''The ill-conceived transport was playing havoc with the daily life of commuters of every category having left eight people dead and scores injured so far, and exposing people to hours of smoke and noise, which has now gone beyond the tolerable limit'' he said.

Mr Mitra said the purpose behind such transport was to reduce congestion and air pollution but the reverse was happening as cars and other vehicles traped in the traffic jam with air conditioners were in fact causing an increase in the pollution.

He said the system had been introduced on the advice of some IIT professor who did not have the least idea of how the traffic moved on Delhi roads.

Mr Mitra said the wise thing for the Government to do was to scrap the whole scheme, which had caused felling of 11000 trees, and spend the remaining sanctioned money for some other useful purpose.

His demand was supported by a large number of Members in the House.

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