BRTS services from January: Officials

Sources said that the state Transport Department has begun its Detailed Project Report (DPR) on seven major corridors, covering a distance of 120 km, to implement the BRTS. It has been reliably learnt that separate lanes on arterial roads will be created exclusively for these buses. Two companies, Chennai-based ICRA management Consulting Services Limited and Brazil-based Logit Consulting sector conducted studies. The Department also roped in Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and Chennai City Connect, to study the feasibility of the project. 

V Krishnamurthy, Managing Director of MTC, said, “The BRTS project is in the final stage. After submitting the DPR, all the stakeholders, including the State Highways, the National Highways Authority of India and other agencies, will be called for discussions on creating separate lanes.” It will take more time to conduct trial runs; however, chances remain high for it to become operational in January or February, he added.

Meanwhile, a score of activists has welcomed the move. “There has been a tremendous improvement in terms of the city’s road infrastructure in recent years. Additionally, Chennai Metro Rail has added an impetus to the city. In such a condition, BRTS will be a boon for those using the public transport for their daily commute, as it will reduce the travel time and increase the revenue,” said a staff from ITDP. 

Although there will be major hurdles in creating separate lanes for buses, experts say the stakeholders should implement the system properly and smoothly. Cities like Ahmedabad and Indore have effectively implemented BRTS systems, officials added.