Delhi needs 5 BRT routes, 2,000 buses: Panel

Five pilot BRT corridors, 2,000 new buses, a dozen major road projects, integrating the Delhi Metro with other modes of transport and five parking projects are among a slew of recommendations made by an expert panel to decongest the Capital.

Five pilot BRT corridors, 2,000 new buses, a dozen major road projects, integrating the Delhi Metro with other modes of transport and five parking projects are among a slew of recommendations made by an expert panel to decongest the Capital.

Urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu had set up a 17-member panel to prepare a blueprint to decongest Delhi after HT ran an ‘Unclog Delhi’ campaign, from August to September, which covered congested stretches and suggested possible solutions.

The panel submitted its report to Naidu on Monday. The main suggestion is to set up five new pilot BRT corridors in the next two years. The recommendation comes despite criticism that the city’s existing BRT corridor Ambedkar Nagar-Lajpat Nagar is causing heavy traffic congestion.

The report also said that 2,000 new buses should be added to Delhi’s fleet in the next two years.

Five parking lots will come up in Connaught Place, Sarojini Nagar, Karol Bagh, Vikas Marg and Lajpat Nagar. “The panel has also recommended hiking the parking fee in congested areas of the city,” said a UD official.

“Eight major road projects would be taken up for expansion. These include four-lane tunnels, one from RML Hospital to Upper Ridge Road and another from Ring Road to Bhagwan Dass Road/ Purana Quila Road,” the official added. Intelligent Transport Systems will have to be installed on all main roads as well, the report said.

Besides this, the metro will have to be integrated with other modes of transport. Sources added the panel has recommended e-rickshaws to be used for last-mile connectivity from bus stops, railway stations and metro stations to residential pockets and commercial centres in the vicinity.