Visakhapatnam: The Department of Architecture and Regional Planning of the ‘Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur’ (IIT-K) has embarked on a research project to find out ways to implement the BRTS (bus rapid transit system) network of Visakhapatnam in a better way.
Their team has descended on Vizag, started exploring the radial roads and mixed traffic stretches (where the BRTS network is integrated with the national highway) and collected data and feedback from the RTC, GVMC, auto unions, etc. It was learnt that they would come up with the suggestions as to how the GVMC can operate the buses in these mixed stretches without the BRTS losing its distinction.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the GVMC, city police, APSRTC and BRTS Consultancy and Urban Consultancy visited Ahmedabad to study the best practices of the BRTS network there and adapt them in operating and managing the BRTS at their backyard in Vizag.
According to sources, each official from the delegation had jotted down their observations and proposed some recommendations, which would be soon presented to the GVMC commissioner.
As part of their visit, the officials observed the revenue model, administration, staffing, infrastructure, operations and other particulars of the Ahmedabad BRTS.
"The APSRTC procured about 50 buses under the JNNURM scheme and they would be run exclusively in the BRTS corridor. Some buses would also cover the entire stretch in a single trip. There were about 1,000 guards for the entire 87-km BRTS corridor of Ahmedabad. We would also need to recruit some guards in Vizag and adopt the revenue model of Ahmedabad BRTS. There are also proposals to mark about 5-mt area on the highway, from Maddilapalem to Hanumanthawaka, exclusively for the city buses to ensure the highway flow doesn’t affect the very purpose of the BRTS," he added.
GVMC commissioner Hari Narayanan informed that the IIT-K has been conducting a research project on how to improve the services of the BRTS in Vizag.
"The officials, who headed to Ahmedabad to study the BRTS model there, would present their observation and recommendations before the Visakhapatnam Urban Transport Company Limited (VUTCL)," he said.
Even though the BRTS roads are being used for many years, confusion has been still reigning among the commuters due to lack of awareness over some lanes, which are exclusively earmarked for city bus transport, often leading to accidents. Experts are of the opinion that the GVMC needs to bring some awareness among the commuters before the formal launch of the BRTS.
Other than the 2-km BRTS stretch between Patha Adavivaram to Gosala near Simha-chalam, the majority of the works of the 43.3-km BRTS project have been completed. In some places, the GVMC is yet to lay two-lane service roads.
