Delhi govt defends BRT, court far from being convinced

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Delhi government’s claims that the users of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor found the road useful and efficient.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Delhi government’s claims that the users of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor found the road useful and efficient.

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"Are you sure? Should we order an opinion poll?" Acting chief justice AK Sikri and justice RS Endlaw asked government counsel Zubeida Begum.

The remarks came when the government, citing a February 2009 survey by Centre for Scientific Research, said that though the 5.7-km stretch between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand was much criticised for causing traffic chaos, its “users had a different opinion”.

The court opined that even if this was to be believed, it had to be noted that the survey had been undertaken within a few months after the stretch had been commissioned.

The court was hearing a PIL, seeking either the scrapping of the project or allowing three- and four-wheelers to ply on the lanes demarcated for buses.

It rejected the government’s suggestion to entrust the study to RITES and hinted that the task might be given to NNHAI. “BRT was introduced after a study by RITES. So we cannot ask them to undertake a study,” the court said, adding that it will take a decision on Thursday.

On March 7, the court had expressed concern over rising number of accidents and traffic chaos on BRT and directed a scientific study of the functioning of the corridor. “Who knows that after a study even the expert body might conclude that the project needs to be scrapped”, the court had said.