Project design, measures for safety of motorists being questioned "Need for advance warning system for the commuters' Signal-length being reworked to ensure average delay of 40 seconds In spite of a general agreement on the need for a dedicated bus corridor to segregate traffic and ensure smooth flow, differences of opinion have emerged over the manner in which the Bus Rapid Transit Corridor project is being implemented in the Capital. The Ambedkar Nagar-Moolchand stretch of the Ambedkar Nagar-Delhi Gate corridor is expected to become operational this coming April. While construction work began in October 2006, four fatal accidents have taken place on the stretch in the past six month, sparking off a debate over the efficacy of the project design as also the measures taken to ensure safety of motorists. "The project was conceived keeping in mind the requirement of dedicated corridors for cars, bicycle users and commuters. This would automatically result in elimination of most traffic bottlenecks caused by the heterogeneous mix of vehicles and also a decline in road accidents involving primarily buses and pedestrians,' said Geetam Tiwari of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. As per the blueprint of the project, besides the dedicated bus corridor, three general-purpose corridors on each side of the road, one of which would be for the left-turning traffic, and one bicycle lane in both directions are to be constructed. Stating that the concept of dedicated bus corridor was good, Institute of Road Traffic Education president Rohit Baluja said there should have been a proper advance warning system informing commuters about the construction work in progress on the road ahead. Also, he advocated three general-purpose corridors. Rationalised bus stops Expressing surprise over media reports that there were plans to install traffic signal every 500 metres, Dr. Tiwari said: "The existing bus stop positions have been rationalised to ensure that they are located near traffic intersections, making it easier for passengers to cross roads. At three bus stops that are not located near an intersection, pedestrian-actuated signals are being installed. These points will have a stoppage time of 20 seconds for cars. For smooth flow of traffic, the signal-length at intersections is being reworked to ensure average delay of 40 seconds for pedestrians and minimise queue length of vehicle, an internationally accepted standard,' she said. Those involved in the project concede that there are problems in coordination and its implementation during the initial days because the contractors were not used to doing such detailed work. Besides, they were allegedly not willing to spend more for a scientific construction-zone management. Meanwhile, the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited has claimed that the accident in which a motorcyclist was killed this past Friday took place on Moolchand flyover and not in the BRT corridor. "The Moolchand flyover is not a part of the corridor. The corridor is proposed to pass along the side of the flyover, at grade, where construction work is yet to be undertaken,' said the release, adding that the First Information Report registered at the Lajpat Nagar police station also clearly indicated that the accident took place on the flyover. Further, the organisation said all possible precautions to ensure commuter safety in the corridor were being taken and cautionary and advisory sign boards like arrow-formation comprising flexible posts, sand drums and yellow reflective boards were in place.