Posted on May 19, 2008 - by rdilipk1

The BRT Corridor Drama

The Indian government is busy implementing measures to reduce traffic congestion on Delhi roads in preparation to the Commonwealth Games. But how far are these measures relevant?’, ‘

Another 100 Crore has been wasted and another huge and much hyped about project is on the verge of abandonment. The BRT corridor has turned out to be a major flop with traffic congestion increasing and utter chaos ruling on the stretch. The efficiency of the planners in the government is under question again. Was this required?

Why is it that measures to reduce traffic congestion are proving to be in-effective? There are multiple reasons to it.

• The first and foremost is that adequate research of the situation in hand is not done and a plan is drawn which when implemented throws everything in tantrums.
• Projects are designed and implemented, not for the benefit of the people or, to reduce traffic congestion but to ensure that the ministers and member of parliaments get a smooth ride. the biggest proof of this is the flyovers constructed in the past few years. Not one of them has helped in reducing traffic jams but only helps people who normally travel long distance and who else are such users but ministers.
• The actual problem on Delhi roads is being ignored and we are constructing projects that would partially benefit the private companies involved in the constructions and also the honorable ministers approving these plans. The root cause for the traffic congestions is ”Bad traffic sense” in the citizens. Honking unnecessarily, overtaking from the wrong side, jumping red lights, violating lane driving rules are all examples of this. Why can”t we have stringent and stricter traffic laws and traffic training for violators?

The failure of the BRT corridor is not the first failed project, rather it is the first such project to be highlighted. There are multiple such other projects which nobody dared to talk about. It is high time that our government take worthful measure to reduce the traffic congestion, if there are genuinely willing to do so.