The govt along with various organizations like DULT is gearing up for the launch of NimBus or the Bus Priority System(BPS) planned on the ORR. This, on the outset, seems a sane decision, probably a little late in coming though.. This is because the weird designs of flyovers, with separated elevated sections, btw Silkboard and KR puram ,were done originally to accommodate a BRT system. But this never saw the light of day because the govt decided to have metro on ORR instead and shifted the BRT pilot to Hubli-Dharwad and as they say, rest is history.
This BPS will provide a much-needed PT option to the ORR section, which is a welcome move. But thinking a little more about this, brings up various questions about its need and its efficacy. The tenders for the ORR metro is due anytime within the next 5-10 days. And ideally 6 months from then on, hoping that everything goes well, the metro work will start on ground. A positive thing that works in favor of the metro works is that the interchange stations at both Silkboard and KR puram are already in various stages
of construction. Hence that is 2 stations work which has already started.
Coming to the construction on the ORR section, as we have seen else where, it is bound to take away two lanes of the road at grade while the work is on. That mean the constricted ORR will have only 4 lanes instead of the current 6 lanes usable for motor vehicles. Hence if there is a BPS running through too, then we only have one lane for rest of the motor vehicle traffic. This will make it grossly inadequate.
Hence instead of wasting resources which is to last only for the next few months, the govt needs to prioritize and fallback on the original plan to provide quick metro access on tis route.
It at all govt is serious to provide relief they should focus on the following for the metro:
- Set challenging deadlines for completion of construction
- Setup a effective monitoring mechanism
- Clear financial issues(if any) of funding etc
- Address all land related problems
BPS is a good idea. But ORR might not be the place to pilot that now..
ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳು
a futile exercise
Govt in Hurry to spend money & get mileage
Same offcials just change of Party suddently find this project attractive
What about Suburban Rail , why same officials and Elected reps r not putting pressure on GOI