BRT for all till we decide,HC tells govt

The court directed the Transport department to continue with the Central Road Research Institute’s (CRRI) arrangements,which were used during the trial run,to allow vehicles to move freely in different lanes on the 5.8-km stretch.

“Let it be reopened,” a Bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said,while hearing a petition on the viability of the BRT corridor.

B B Sharan,who is a CRRI official and representative of the petitioner,NGO Nyayabhoomi,told the court that traffic was smoother during the trial run and,hence,restrictions from the bus lanes on the BRT corridor should be removed.

The court took his account into consideration when it passed the order. It also directed the CRRI to complete its study and submit a final report by July 12.

Advocate Zubeda Begum,appearing for the Transport department,opposed the petitioner’s request. She said Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) officials were not keen on permitting non-commercial vehicles on the reserved lanes.

Petitioner Nyayabhoomi sought modification of the court’s previous order in which it asked the authorities to take a decision on the BRT corridor’s status.

Referring to the CRRI’s interim report,Sharan said: “In spite of the CRRI’s recommendations,the DIMTS has reverted to the previous system (reserved bus lanes) from May 24. This has caused great hardship and inconvenience to the public. It didn’t go with the spirit of the court order,” he said.

The court had earlier rejected the government’s contention that public opinion on the BRT corridor was positive. It held that a study on its feasibility should be conducted afresh.