Traffic violations in Amritsar's BRTS corridors prompt police to challan vehicle drivers

Months after no stopping of traffic violations in the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) corridors, the police on Tuesday started issuing challans to violators here on Tuesday.

The Metro bus service, operating in designated BRTS corridors, was suspended on July 4, 2023. Its vacant lanes, which have iron grills on both sides, offer a smooth ride. This entices several vehicle drivers to use these lanes to reach their respective destinations while keeping away from busy roads. Plying of vehicles in the BRTS corridors is unauthorised as these are dedicated only for running Metro buses.

Despite repeated promises, the government has not been able to resume the BRTS operations, which has been built at a cost of around Rs 530 crore to ease Amritsar’s traffic congestion, turning its lanes into a death trap.

Officials stated that despite repeated warnings by the traffic police to not use BRTS corridors, vehicle drivers do not pay any heed. This prompted the traffic police to lay nakas at exit points of the BRTS corridors to catch violators.

Deserted BRTS corridors are misused by trucks, private buses, two-wheeler riders and even pedestrians, leading to frequent collisions and fatal mishaps. Though the police have raised barricades and closed entry points of the BRTS corridors, commuters continue to use these stretches after uprooting grills.

Traffic experts have identified multiple black spots inside the BRTS corridors. Over 50 accidents have been reported in recent years, claiming more than 10 lives in the corridor.

Faulty design features, such as low roofs at bus stops and dangerously placed iron grills, have caused several head injuries among commuters. The absence of reflectors, broken infrastructure and theft of safety grills have further increased the risk of accidents.

In March 2022, Dr Narinder Kaur lost her life after being hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the BRTS corridor near Gate Hakima. Police investigations in several such cases have cited illegal vehicle entry and absence of pedestrian crossings as major causes in the BRTS corridors.

Residents allege that after every accident, the police temporarily block the affected stretch with ropes, but reopen it within days.