The much-delayed priority bus lane project has finally been approved in principle by the Department of Urban Land Transport.
For over four years, the idea of priority lanes for public transport has been debated with several objections being raised over the feasibility of the same.
However, with the approval, the BMTC is now hopeful that it will be able to start the pilot on Old Airport Road soon.
Ideally, there would be a reduction in travelling time for those using buses on the stretch, realistically however, enforcing the system seems set to be a nightmare for BMTC and the Traffic Police.
Yellow lane demarcation lines have been painted on Old Airport Road recently.
Officials say this is independent of the priority-lane pilot but the message seems clear.
However, barely hours after the lines were painted, traffic returned to usual and it became simply impossible to get people to stick to one lane. Buses too, treat the lane as a suggestion instead of a rule.
The Department of Urban Land Transport will be the implementing agency for the project, will have an uphill task with BMTC and Traffic police in ensuring that buses stick to the left lane on Old Airport Road allowing for smoother flow of traffic.
“There are some bus stops which also have to come up according to the plan. This will happen soon after which the priority lane project can be started,” said Ekroop Caur, Managing Director, BMTC.
However, traffic policemen are still apprehensive about the way it will be enforced. “Monitoring which class of vehicle is using which lane will become tough. Buses can be asked to stick to the left lane but how will you catch someone who changes lanes in the middle of the road?” questioned a constable who is stationed on the stretch.
Earlier last year, the Traffic Police had implemented auto lanes across the city and had to roll back their decision after it was largely unsuccessful and only resulted in bruised barricades and traffic cones. It remains to be seen if this pilot will see the success that the BMTC is hoping for.
