Go underground, avoid traffic

The horrifying traffic on city roads will not be a nuisance anymore. The Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL), a company floated by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for the management of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), is constructing subways at Soni ni Chal and Thakkarbapanagar in the city to ease the burgeoning traffic in the areas. The work, which started in February, is expected to be completed by June this year, say AJL officials.

“The subways are being constructed because the two areas are too congested and unsuitable for a flyover. Besides, these areas are usually very jammed in the evening and the subways will help relax traffic,” said a source close to the development.

Moreover, the subways will also help pedestrians cross to the other side of the road without much difficulty and will allow them to reach the BRTS bus stations raised in the middle of the road.

Both the areas, Soni ni Chal and Thakkarbapanagar, come under the second stretch of the BRTS which follows the first 12.5 km stretch running from RTO to Pirana.

In fact, the AJL has also geared up to complete the construction of the first stretch and 18 bus stations by April end. “If everything goes according to the plan, the work of BRTS bus station should be completed by mid April. Our aim is to make BRTS buses operational by May,” said a senior AMC official.

The AJL intends to run 50 buses in the first phase, of which only 10 buses will have air conditioning system.

It also has plans to avoid the conventional CNG buses and opt for the EURO III diesel ones.