Abysmal traffic condition in Kolkata is expected to improve with the proposed construction of a Bus Rapid Transit System between Ultadanga and Garia

After New Delhi, Pune, Ahmadabad and Rajkot, Kolkata can very well be the next city to boast of a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). After striking down the proposal for construction of a BRTS corridor last year, the State Urban Development Department has amended the layout for construction of the proposed corridor. The corridor that was to be constructed between Ultadanga and Kamalgaji will now come up between Ultadanga and Garia. Vivek Bharadwaj, CEO of Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), said that the BRTS layout has been changed from the earlier proposed corridor on either side to a middle path along the EM Bypass route.

As per sources, the West Bengal government will roll out tenders for the same in April 2010 and the construction of first phase of the corridor is scheduled to be completed in 2 years. The estimated cost of the first phase of the project hovers around Rs 310 crore.

BRTS to solve traffic woos

“We hope that the BRTS will relieve the commuters of traffic chaos prevalent in the city at present,” says Bimal Goenka, proprietor of Amit Transport Company, a small-sized transportation firm in Kolkata. The corridor will pass through Ultadanga, EM Bypass, Narkeldanga, Salt Lake stadium, Chingrihata, Science City, Tagore Park, Ruby Hospital, Prince Anwar Shah road, Ajoynagar, Peerless Hospital and Dhalal Bridge.

In this context, Ashok Singh, proprietor of Shree Deepak Transport Company, a mid-sized transportation firm in Kolkata says, “The BRT corridor will help Kolkata to elevate its traffic conditions, thereby ensuring smooth and hassle-free journey for commuters.”

Highlights

The upcoming corridor will set up disabled-friendly bus stops, automatic traffic control system and rapid boarding and alighting system. The control system will be fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS), which will enable to track buses. The corridor will have the capacity to accommodate 60 vehicles per hour plying at the speed of 50 km per hour on either side.

Arup Choudhury