BRTS set to expand in Ahmedabad

The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) will soon add one more route in its existing network. And this time, the BRTS will ride into the walled city, with the first route connecting Akhbarnagar to Dilli Darwaza to be launched within a month. The Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL) is all set to open this route taking the BRTS closer to Kalupur railway station. Municipal commissioner I P Gautam said that with the opening of Dudheshwar bridge, the operation of the BRTS to Dilli Darwaza will begin soon. He said that the bus stations were under construction and would be handed over to AJL. Within a month the BRTS will enter Delhi Darwaza area, he averred. A senior officer of the AJL said that this is the first time that the BRTS will enter the walled city. The officer said that the delay was not in completing the track or setting up the bus stands, but it was caused by late delivery of buses by Tata. “The corporation has placed an order for 35 buses, but there is a delay in delivery as usual. The corporation was planning to extend the service to Kalupur station. And this would mean that the BRTS would move in the traffic from Dilli Dawaza to Kalupur station,” he said. Gautam said that as the elevated corridor will take its own time to cater to this segment, the AJL will decide to move with the traffic. “We will carry out a survey by taking the buses on trail trips to Kalupur, Prem Darwaza or fruit market in the Kalupur area,” he said, adding that based on the traffic data, the final destination will be decided. He said that fabricated bus stands will be set up along this route from Dilli Darwaza to Kalupur station.