CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority are likely to plan a new bus rapid transit system (BRTS) connecting Kilpauk, Egmore, Nungambakkam and T. Nagar.
This will be done after the completion of the Integrated Traffic Infrastructure Development Plan connecting Ega Theatre junctionand Thirumalai Pillai Road.
“Two of the four lanes at grade will be converted to BRTS,” said an official. Bus stops will be shifted to suit the elevated road in consultation with the MTC. On-street parking restrictions on other roads will be planned to support the BRTS, which will be the first facility in a congested neighbourhood.
Corporation officials have already visited cities, such as Guangzhou in China, for implementing a BRTS in the city. Officials have started a study of city roads which will analyse various options including road-widening for the BRTS.
“Rajiv Gandhi Salai and some other stretches on the added zones were part of the list generated for development of BRTS. The new project will facilitate exploration of more options for public transit in congested parts of the city,” said the official.
As per the earlier Chennai Comprehensive Transportation Study, a BRTS was planned to be implemented on various stretches, including 30 km of Outer Ring Road, 11 km of Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram Road, 20 km of Tambaram-Velachery-Taramani-Thiruvanmiyur Road and 28 km of Rajiv Gandhi Salai.