The BRT or Bus Rapid Transport corridor was created by the government of Sheila Dikshit for nearly 150 crores - it was intended to allow buses to shuttle commuters through a lane free of traffic lights. (File photo)
Delhi has for years expressed its vehement dislike for the BRT corridor, introduced in 2008. Today afternoon, the 5.8 km long stretch that was created as a special lane for buses will begin being dismantled, the government has announced.
The BRT or Bus Rapid Transport corridor was created by the Congress government of Sheila Dikshit for nearly 150 crores - it was intended to allow buses to shuttle commuters through a lane free of traffic lights. But though similar corridors have been used to great success in other cities, in Delhi, poor management saw the BRT deliver huge traffic jams. Cars often entered the bus-only lane. Bus stops weren't placed to offer easy access to commuters.
The dismantling process will begin at 3 pm today and after that from 10 am to 6 pm every day with a deadline of two months to complete the process.
The government of Arvind Kejriwal has just completed a two-week traffic experiment to combat the pollution in Delhi.
The odd-even trial - which banned private cars on alternate days - did not, according to some experts, improve air quality in the world's most polluted capital, but it succeeded in decongesting traffic. Twitter today saw people complaining about the
return of traffic jams after the odd-even scheme ended, named because it allowed cars with odd-numbered license plates to be used on odd-numbered dates, with the other days being sanctioned to cars with even-numbered plates.
Mr Kejriwal's government claims that pollution in some parts of the city fell by 20-25%. The Chief Minister has said that after analysing the results of the experiment, the odd-even scheme will return with new guidelines.