TN plans dedicated bus corridor via BRTS.

Tamil Nadu plans to implement a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) as a key component of a comprehensive effort to expand the use of sustainable transport.

In the first phase, a total of 96.7 km of BRTS has been identified with Koyambedu and Saidapet being key hubs. A total of 121 BRTS stations are being planned in different routes, says a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by Pallavan Transport Consultancy Services calling consultants to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to implement the BRTS.

The BRTS is a dedicated bus lane with related infrastructure allowing public transport buses to operate without any interference from other modes of traffic.

BRTS in Chennai is planned from Koyambedu to Poonamallee, Madhavaram, Saidapet and Ambattur.

From Saidapet the BRTS will run up to Tambaram, and if possible extend to Mahindra World City on the GST Road. There will be another route covering IT corridor till Siruseri from Saidapet.

Thoraipakkam will be connected with Chromepet covering the Pallikaranai 100-ft road. This is an important route from the IT corridor to the airport.

The consultant’s work will involve detailed traffic analysis, traffic growth, public transport survey, economic and financial analysis and environmental impact assessment, says the RFP.

In 2011, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (IDTP) submitted a feasibility report on BRTS in Chennai.

It suggested development of BRTS in three phases — first include two networks with high travel demand, one in the northwest and the other in the south of Chennai.

On review, it identified a need for a North-South Corridor from Madhavaram to Tambaram via Saidapet and hence Koyambedu- Saidapet corridor is included for these two networks originated at Koyambedu and Saidapet.

Ahmedabad has one of the most developed and advanced BRTS with 13 operational BRT lines with 126 BRT stations covering 87 km.

A fleet of 235 buses are in the system. The BRTS is also in cities such as Delhi, Pune, Indore, Rajkot, Surat and Bhopal.

According to IDTP report of 2013, the BRTS provides safe, comfortable, efficient and economical public transport services to millions of people. It incorporates the benefits of rail-based systems such as light rail, monorail and metro rail and adds the flexibility and convenience of rubber-tired buses.

BRT can be built in a short period of time (under 18 months) and at a fraction of the cost of rail systems — around ₹15 crore a km of BRT compared to ₹150-450 crore a km for rail-based systems, the report said.

HBL