If found feasible, the MMRDA will soon implement a Rapid Transport System on the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. It's a system that has already eased commuter troubles in several cities in India and around the world

If you are a regular commuter between East and West Mumbai in the suburbs, here's some good news. The authorities may soon implement the Bus Rapid Transport System on the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. In the BRTS system, buses plyu00a0 with a frequency of barely a few minutes on an exclusive route that is chosen based on the number of commuters using it. The system is capable of easing transport troubles of anywhere between 15,000 to 20,000 passengers an hour, in both directions.


Seen in the photograph is a bus from theu00a0 BRT named 'Rea Vaya' atu00a0
Soweto in Johannes-burg, South Africa. Pic/ AFP Photos

The 10 km Link road is one of the arterial roads in the city that connects the western and eastern suburbs. It often faces bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours in the morning and evening. Transport expert Ashok Datar met the Commissioner of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Rahul Asthana last week to discuss implementation of the plan.

"Ashok Datar gave a presentation to the MMRDA commissioner regarding the possibility of BRTS on the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, and how it would be of use to the passengers if it were implemented," said a senior MMRDA official, who did not wish to be named.

A transport expert who was part of the presentation team spoke to Sunday MiDDAY on condition of anonymity. "It appeared that the MMRDA commissioner was convinced by the presentation. He feels that BRTS on the Link road will help ease the commute between eastern and western suburbs."

If the BRTS is implemented, the number of private vehicles will reduce significantly," said Sudhir Badami, a member of MMRDA's Technical Advisory Committee for BRTS in Mumbai, who wrote five open letters to the chief minister in 2010 arguing for the speedy implementation of the Rapid Transport System in the city. "It will also reduce noise levels significantly," he said.

However, when asked about the timeline for MMRDA's BRTS plan, Joint Project Director (MMRDA) Dilip Kawatkar said, "I am not aware about the recent development and only the commissioner can comment on it." The MMRDA commissioner remained unavailable for comment despite attempts to contact him. Several countries around the world employ the BRTS, including Canada, US, UK, France, Chile, Brazil and Bangladesh. It is currently effective in several Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Pune and Indore. Projects have also been planned in Rajkot, Surat and Indore.