When contrived, the swanky bus service of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) may have seemed ‘rapid’, but the present snail-pace work for the Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited’s (AJL) ambitious Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) signals towards a further delay in the launch of the much awaited intra-city transport service.

After extending its deadline from October last year to May-June this year, the BRTS launch may now be pushed to July, said a highly placed source close to the development. The incomplete and tardy work at 17 bus stations in the first phase of the BRTS, scheduled to get completed by June end, is singled out as one of the major reasons for the delay.

Contractors for the construction of bus stations have told the AMC officials that they may not be able to meet the deadline (mid June) set for them. “The contractors have demanded an additional of 15 days to complete the work of 17 bus stations. The project, however, can be delayed further if they wait till the completion of the bus stations at AEC crossroads and Vadinath circle,” said the source. Work for the two bus stations is yet to begin.

Officials said that AJL, who had tailored the height and length of proto type bus station, faced major difficulties while finding bidder at a reasonable price. Once the work for the bus stations is completed, the AJL will have a mammoth task of installing automated doors, ITES services and turnstile machine at the stations.

This apart, it will also have to finish the work of BRTS corridors, and will have to remove encroachments before rolling out the buses.
Deputy municipal commissioner UC Padia, who looks after the BRTS work, confirmed that the contractors have asked for extra time. “They have asked for an additional of 15 days cushion period, but we have strictly denied them any extension. We are working rigorously to meet the deadline to launch BRTS by June end,” said Padia.

Although AMC officials are confident about there being no risk in launching the BRTS during monsoons, experts have opined that the Ahmedabad BRTS may meet a fate similar to the buses in Delhi and Pune if launched in adverse weather conditions.

Padia, however, is unperturbed by the monsoon woes. She said that there is nothing to worry even if the services have to be stalled because of water logging in certain areas. “Like every other bus service, the BRTS will also halt till the time the water recedes. But we aim to launch BRTS by June end,” Padia asserted.