It keeps getting worse for BRTS

Over 3,200 drivers of private vehicles fined since March for using bus lanes, but violations continue; now even cops allow it at times

Drivers of more than 3,200 cars and other private vehicles have been fined since March for using the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) lanes, but the problem in the city has only grown over time. Worse, the traffic police are often found diverting vehicles on to the BRTS lanes to ease congestion during peak hours.

With only 942 traffic constables in the city, regulating traffic during peak hours on major roads is a mammoth task. When it gets bumper-to-bumper, traffic policemen and wardens can be seen diverting private vehicles on to the BRTS lanes, especially at the busy Volga and Ahilyadevi chowks on Satara road.

Practical measure
"Yes, traffic wardens sometimes divert traffic to BRT lanes as a practical measure," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manoj Patil. "Ideally, they should not let private vehicles enter the BRTS lane, but if traffic congestion goes out of control, it will create a negative image of the BRT project."

When BRTS was introduced, there had been criticism from private vehicle users because they felt the bus lanes had robbed them of road space. With vehicles in the city only increasing, that criticism now seems to have been prophetic. As Patil feared, many think the BRTS project is more of a bane than a boon.

'BRTS ill designed'
Experts say the lanes meant for private vehicles are ill-designed and have not been laid in accordance with specified standards.

"The width of the lane provided for motorised private transport on the BRTS route is far lower than the standard that was set," said a city traffic engineer, who requested anonymity. "The minimum lane width should be 7.5 metres, but its only 6.75 metres. At junctions, the minimum width should be 10.5 metres. Designing rules have been flouted at many places on the BRT routes, which creates unnecessary congestion and provokes private vehicle drivers to encroach on the BRTS track."

The traffic police said they were doing their best to cope with the situation and cracking down hard on violators.

"Private vehicles using the BRTS track are being fined so that public transport buses can have space to
ply easily," said Patil.

"Since March, Rs 3.5 lakh has been collected from 3,234 private vehicles, including cars."