Will Pimpri-Chinchwad Remove BRTS Lanes? PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh Explains
Will Pimpri-Chinchwad Remove BRTS Lanes? PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh Explains
Despite mounting opposition, Shekhar Singh, Municipal Commissioner of Pimpri-Chinchwad, clarified on Monday that there are no plans to dismantle the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) lanes to accommodate the growing volume of vehicular traffic. The BRTS, which features a dedicated lane for public buses, has not met its intended objectives of reducing traffic congestion and minimizing conflicts between buses and other vehicles.
Singh addressed the issue following residents’ requests for the removal of the BRTS lanes, particularly on the Pune-Mumbai highway, where the Pune Metro service is gaining popularity. “There is no way we will eliminate BRTS lanes. We will never take them out,” Singh firmly stated when questioned by reporters.
While the BRTS has faced criticism in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Singh emphasized that the city’s public transport system is undergoing efforts to improve. “We need more buses on the road, additional routes, and fewer private vehicles. We should promote public buses and discourage private vehicles from using the roads,” he said.
The growing opposition to BRTS in Pimpri-Chinchwad has been compounded by concerns over the narrowing of roads, especially after the launch of Pune Metro. Residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced road width, as the BRTS and Metro projects occupy space on one side of the highway, while the smart city footpath project is being developed on the other.
On the Metro’s progress, Singh expressed confidence in its future success. “With four to five more routes planned, we are sure that metro ridership will grow. We must do everything possible to ensure last-mile connectivity, and steps have already been taken in that direction,” he added.
