Govt to introduce better BRT model

 New Delhi, July 29

The Delhi Government today announced that it will introduce the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) model in an improved form in the national Capital.

"The Delhi Government is completely in favour of BRT as a concept. It is important concept and important solution which has been implemented in a nice manner in many parts of the world and our country.

"We feel that in Delhi, it (BRT) was a good concept but it was implemented badly here," said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while inaugurating a one-day 'Delhi Transport Vision Conference' here.

Earlier this month, facing criticism, the Aam Aadmi Party government decided to scrap the controversial corridor between Moolchand and Ambedkar Hagar in South Delhi built by the earlier Sheila Dikshit dispensation at around Rs 150 crore to encourage public transport.

"We are now going to scrap BRT corridor (from Moolchand to Ambedkar Nagar), but we will introduce new BRT corridors in Delhi with improved form in future," Kejriwal said.

Recalling his experiences of travelling in crowded buses as a nightmare, the Chief Minister called for a better transport system that can be used by every section of  society.

"I have travelled in buses several times. I know that travelling in a bus packed with passengers is nightmare. We have to make the transport system better in next five years.

"We need to create such public transport system which could be used by every section of society including poor and rich people," Kejriwal said.

"There is a huge gap between demand and supply in terms of public transport. We need to work on five things - availability, easy access, punctuality, reliability and information (pertaining to bus service) - in view of making public transport system better," he said.

Referring to people travelling in Metro, he said that if the government provides good service, people are willing to leave their personal vehicle and use public transport. 

UMTA to expedite transport projects 

Transport Minister Gopal Rai, who presided over the conference, said that we have several challenges ahead to improve public transport as there are multiple authority in Delhi.

The government has planned to constitute a United Multi-modal Transport Authority (UMTA) which will coordinate between various agencies to expedite the transport projects.

According to the government, it was also contemplating installing CCTV cameras which have in-built Global Positioning System (GPS) and WiFi in buses to ensure women's safety.—PTI