G U EST CO LU M N
Evaluate BRT scientifically …….P P SANGAL
EVERY environmentalist would have rejoiced at the BRT project as one of the next most significant policy intervention for cleaning up the capitals polluted air after the introduction of CNG-fuelled buses. But alas it has turned out to be a big fiasco. It must make the entire administrative machinery and our much-boasted talented reservoir of scientific and technical community to bow their heads in shame. Undoubtedly, so much mayhem has been created over a short stretch of 5.8 km from Ambedkar Nagar to Moolchand flyover, to talk the least of reduction in congestion and pollution the objective of the project.
One feels more pained, after knowing that the project is the brain child of the professors of highly prestigious Delhi IITs department of transport research and injury prevention programme (TRIPP) and was thoroughly discussed with the Delhi government as early as 1995. It was formally launched in 2002 and actual work started in 2006. Despite long time being spent on the project, it has made such a disastrous start. Also, sadly Delhis BRT authorities refused to learn from the failure of BRT Pune project closer home which is still a flop after one-and-a-half year of its implementation and travelled to faraway Bogota (Columbia) and Curibita (Brazil) to draw inspiration for Delhis set-up.
No detailed project report (DPR) was prepared before trial runs were started. It is well acknowledged that in any scientific study of this nature, trial runs are not carried out on the ground without DPR being prepared. In DPR, all the problems, which can mar the successful implementation of the project, are anticipated, analysed and solutions provided to the extent possible.
BRT has now become political hot potato for the Delhi government, it being an election year. The botched up system is having great political repercussions for the ruling party and an escape route of some form is perhaps being worked. The project may not publicly be declared abandoned because a huge sum of Rs 60 crore has already been spent on it. Moreover, all stakeholders viz., DIMTS, RITES Delhis transport department, traffic police and DTC will have to be answerable. It is, therefore suggested that the project should be thoroughly examined by a team of dedicated experts having complete knowledge of traffic management techniques.
No details are available about the methodology used in devising the new traffic system and so it is not possible to comment on it. However, it may be asserted that in any such study, one has to focus, among others, on a few following important basic points.
Firstly, reliable data has to be collected on all aspects such as intensity/volume of traffic at different locations of the corridor and also at different points of time during the day over a reasonably long period. Further, this data has to be collected for all modes of transport both slow and fast moving and also on the number of pedestrians passing by.
Secondly, after we have this information, examine minutely how the proposed traffic in future plan will take care of the existing traffic requirement with an eye on increase in traffic.
Also ensure that reduction in congestion and pollution will be there as a result of the project. To achieve it, one may devise simple computer-based mathematical models. Several computer runs may be required to throw of various problems arising out of the implementation of new traffic system on the ground. This would enable us to analyse these problems before hand and a solution would be found.
While doing the above study, cost-effectiveness of the project should not be ignored. Two impact assessment studies with regard to quantum of (a) reduction in congestion on the roads and (b) reduction in air pollution have to be carried out using available mathematical/statistical techniques. Otherwise, we would continue spending huge money without any meaningful benefits. Perhaps no such studies have been carried out earlier. This assumes more importance because the central government has plans for setting up BRT systems in nine more cities viz., Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Indore, Jaipur, Nagpur, Rajkote, Vijayvada and Pune, under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission at a huge cost.
To sum up, a truly scientific study of Delhis BRT system by a team of genuine experts is the urgent need of the hour. Only then, we can redeem our prestige as a pool of worldclass scientific and technical personnel.
(The author is a UN consultant on
environment & poverty alleviation)
(The author is a UN consultant on
environment & poverty alleviation)