BRTs get a push, govt okays feasibility study

Giving an impetus to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the Delhi government on Tuesday gave an in-principle approval to the Public Works Department (PWD) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for building seven corridors.

Giving an impetus to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the Delhi government on Tuesday gave an in-principle approval to the Public Works Department (PWD) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for building seven corridors.

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The PWD had shortlisted four consultants to prepare these DPRs early this year but their appointment was put on hold by the finance department in wake of the opposition to the existing corridor between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand Hospital. On Tuesday, the PWD gave a presentation of the seven corridors to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Chief Secretary Pravin Kumar Tripathi said the PWD had been asked to study the best-suited model of BRT that could be built on the proposed corridors.

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“We have to learn from past experiences. There can be different modes of BRT. We have asked the department to carry out a detailed study of different corridors and prepare reports,” Tripathi said.

The PWD had even called tenders and shortlisted consultants for preparing a DPR in March but the project was put on backburner.

According to a senior PWD engineer, the seven corridors the PWD intends to build will be 105km long.

“There are several bottlenecks in each of the seven corridors. Many stretches run through congested areas. We may require elevated BRTs for those stretches. Removal of encroachment and land acquisition are other issues,” a senior PWD engineer said.

The DPRs will cost Delhi government Rs. 16.87 crore.