The Delhi government, while planning more roads to duplicate the BRT concept, is also working on easing off traffic on its pilot project between Ambedkar Nagar to Moolchand.

Last week, the Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System Ltd (DIMTS) started work on a parallel slip road between Press Enclave Road and Outer Ring Road to handle the additional vehicular pressure on the BRT corridor.

The road was planned last year, long before the stretch was opened. But the work on ground took a long time to begin.

According to DIMTS, the road will ease nearly 30 per cent of the vehicular pressure on the BRT corridor. Once the motorists reach Outer Ring Road, they will take a left turn and a U-turn to Nehru Place.

The DIMTS had initially planned a clover leaf at the intersection, but the Delhi Urban Arts Commission turned down the proposal.

“Our study revealed that a majority of cars — which comprise nearly 30 per cent of the vehicles at Chirag Dilli — are heading left to Nehru Place,” said a senior transport official. “Owing to that, the signal cycle at the intersection is much above normal and leads to jams on the entire stretch.”

The BRT corridor faces enormous criticism due to long traffic jams. At Chirag Dilli, the waiting time at peak hours is between 10-20 minutes.

The government has not been able open the stretch between Moolchand and Delhi Gate.

The BRT was to become functional on that stretch on September 1. But since the civil work and signal system in the stretch was not in place, it was postponed.

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