BRT: Dividers removed,Transport dept to lodge FIR against study team member

Speaking to Newsline,Sharan said the High Court order allowed the demolition of dividers and there had been some misunderstanding with the Transport department.

“The court had given the order on May 11,but we were unable to circulate it to the authorities as the next two days were holiday. Hence,the authorities were not aware of the order. We have now sent them a copy. The order mentions that we can demolish the divider to ensure smooth movement of traffic on the stretch.”

A member of the CRRI study team said,“We did not feel the need to remove the barriers for the trial run. Sharan visited the site and presented his views,but we told him that removal of barrier is not required. On Saturday night,he told the DIMTS officials on duty that he is from the CRRI team and he has orders to remove the dividers.”

However,Sharan said,“The CRRI team took action and we do not know why the Transport department is reacting in such a way. Everything will become clear after the High Court order reaches them.”

Meanwhile,no congestion was reported on the third day of the BRT trial run,which is being conducted on the Moolchand-Ambedkar Nagar corridor. Study team members said the number of vehicles caught in the wrong lane had halved since the beginning of the trial.

Speaking to Newsline,an official on duty said the vehicles are able to move smoothly due to reduced pressure at traffic signals. “Apart from this,balanced use of the road has helped reduce traffic congestion. Earlier,all the cars used to move in one narrow outer lane and the waiting time was higher at signals. Since all vehicles can use the entire road now,traffic moves smoothly,” an official said

On the first day of the trial,several commuters had ended up on the wrong lanes due to lack of proper signage. The CRRI team has now placed signage at different intersections to guide commuters.

“On all intersections,we have put up boards in English as well as Hindi to prompt traffic to take the correct lane. For instance,commuters going from Moolchand to Sheikh Sarai will see a board which says ‘for Saket/Press Enclave Road,use the BRT lane’. These boards will now guide commuters and clear the confusion observed in the first two days of the trial run,” a CRRI official said.

Dr S Velmurugan,a senior scientist heading the CRRI study team said,“The trial run has been going well. Two marshals have managed the traffic very well and no major congestion has been reported so far. We will submit the first status report in the High Court on Wednesday.”