"The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking wants to ply their buses on these lanes on an experimental basis. The project has also been approved by Unified Mumbai Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMMTA)," said an MMRDA official.
Before the end of this calender year Mumbaikars will get dedicated bus lanes at the business district of Bandra Kurla Complex as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has floated bids for the project.
The other two dedicated bus lanes would come up in the future at Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road and Haji Ali-Worli. The infrastructure for the same will be done by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
"The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking wants to ply their buses on these lanes on an experimental basis. The project has also been approved by Unified Mumbai Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMMTA)," said an MMRDA official.
The dedicated bus lane would be on the last lane towards the kerb or pavement starting from MTNL Telephone Exchange at Kurla end till Kalanagar at Bandra (East). This 3.5-km lane on each side will be clearly demarcated by way of collapsible lane dividers and paints.
The estimated price is Rs2 crore for preparing a stretch of 7 kms. "Even repair works would be carried out to resurface roads, wherever required or to fix edges of the uneven manholes and storm water drains," added the official.
Bicycle tracks too were made by the MMRDA on the kerb side at the business district of Bandra Kurla Complex, therefore, it will be left untouched while marking lanes for the Dedicated Bus Lanes.
According to a senior BEST official, if this pilot project at Bandra Kurla Complex is successful it will not only help the transport body to cut down on fuel expenditures but also help in operating bus services as per the schedule or without any traffic.
However, the decision to increase bus frequency will be taken at a later stage once the bus operations are smooth. There is a need to have more public bus services in Bandra Kurla Complex. Due to limited number of services private bus operators and illegal auto rickshaws are doing brisk business.
Transport activists who are for such lanes are of the opinion that if there are positive results it will build a strong case to have Bus Rapid Transit System on the arterial roads of Mumbai.
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 "MMRDA to float bids for dedicated bus lanes at BKC")
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