Even as the Delhi government is trying to make its beleaguered dream project bus rapid transit (BRT) project to work without causing chaos, Dinesh Mohan, professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and the brain behind the project has suggested to the Planning Commission to stall the expansion of the Delhi Metro Rail Project and replace it with BRT. The introduction of BRT, which saw the Delhi government pouring in Rs 215 crore in the first phase, has caused much chaos, including traffic snarls, congestion and accidents, resulting in various quarters calling for scrapping the project completely. In a letter to the Planning Commission, Mohan said that the metro rail project is an expensive mode of urban transport requiring huge investments, therefore, the government should withdraw the project and move ahead with the BRT to provide smooth connectivity in the metro. Compared to the spend on BRT, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has spent Rs 10,571 crore in Phase-I of the project covering a stretch of 65.1 km. The proposed investment in Phase-II of the project, work for which is underway now, has been put at Rs 20,000 crore. Compared to this, to complete the BRT project, as envisaged now with six corridors, would cost the Delhi government Rs 2,100 crore by 2010. While the Delhi government is fully funding the BRT project, a consortium of international lenders and the Delhi government undertake the funding of DMRC. But the Planning Commission has a different view. A Planning Commission member told FE that the Commission is considering Mohan's letter, but it is opposed to the BRT project, as it can never be a solution to capital's transportation problems. "Delhi has very heavy traffic and the type of traffic here is very different. There are 20 different types of vehicles on the Delhi roads. Bicycles, three-wheelers and four-wheelers, all ply on the same road and the BRT has taken up one-third of the road space leaving very little space for the general traffic. The drivers' psyche too is another decisive factor," the member pointed. On the contrary, the metro rail tracks have been laid underground in many places and wherever they are over-ground they have a separate track. The Delhi government on its part is embarking on an image makeover for the BRT project. According to Delhi government officials, the government has started negotiation with a public relations agency, which has chalked... out a Rs 85 lakh publicity plan. Delhi government sources said that the public relations firms has already made a presentation to chief minister Sheila Dikshit and transport minister Haroon Yusuf last week. As per the initial plans, the PR firm has prepared a campaign christened as