The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to remove a 2-km stretch of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) from Swargate to Hadapsar. This move aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance safety on this heavily traveled route.
Background and Rationale
The decision follows PMC’s earlier discontinuation of a 3.6 km BRTS stretch on Pune-Ahmednagar Road last year due to similar concerns. Commuters have welcomed this change, noting that the dedicated BRTS lanes for Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses were contributing significantly to traffic issues. The removal of these lanes is expected to improve traffic flow considerably.
History of the BRTS Project
The Katraj-Swargate-Hadapsar route was initiated as a pilot BRTS project in 2007, covering a total distance of 11.5 km. While the PMC successfully revamped the Katraj to Swargate corridor, the section from Swargate to Hadapsar never became a dedicated BRTS lane. This was mainly due to the presence of defense establishments along the route, which posed challenges for creating a dedicated lane.
Factors Leading to the Decision
According to officials from PMPML, Traffic Police, and the Regional Transport Office (RTO), several factors influenced the decision to remove the BRTS lanes:
- Bus Stop Placement: The bus stops along this route occupied around 4 to 5 meters of space, contributing to traffic congestion.
- Pedestrian Safety: The placement of bus stands in the middle of the road forced pedestrians to cross the road at unsafe points, leading to numerous accidents.
Impact and Expected Outcomes
The removal of the BRTS lanes is expected to have several positive outcomes:
- Improved Traffic Flow: With the dedicated BRTS lanes removed, regular traffic lanes will have more space, which is anticipated to ease congestion significantly.
- Reduced Accidents: By eliminating the need for pedestrians to cross the road at dangerous points, the number of accidents is expected to decrease.
- Commuter Convenience: The changes are expected to make commuting smoother and more efficient for daily travelers.
