Dedicated bus lanes planned from Bandra to Dahisar

After being unsure about the feasibility of dedicated bus lanes in city, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has finally decided to go ahead with it.

After being unsure about the feasibility of dedicated bus lanes in city, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has finally decided to go ahead with it.

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The move comes after the state government gave a nod to the MMRDA to develop the dedicated bus lane transport system on the Eastern and Western Highways.

The first stretch of lanes will be constructed from Bandra West to Dahisar West and Sion to Mulund. No other vehicles will be allowed to ply on the area earmarked for this corridor. Apart from BEST buses, school buses and ambulances will be allowed to use these lanes.

Consulting Engineering Services is doing the feasibility study, and after the study the final layout plan will be presented to the committee set up by the state to implement the lanes. The MMRDA said that work on the project will begin after monsoon and they hope to finish it by 2011.

This move will hugely benefit millions of commuters in Mumbai as well as reduce traffic congestion. “Dedicated bus lanes will prove to be a boon during peak hours,” metropolitan commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said.

“The dedicated corridor will also encourage people to use this mode of public transport thereby effectively minimising pollution resulting from the massive number of private vehicles.” The corridor will reduce accidents, cost effective, less usage of fuel and maintenance expenditure.