Bhopal BRT

1. Bhopal BRT on the edge
Dedicated BRT in Bhopal
The BMC (Bhopal Municipal Corporation) is constructing the BRTS worth Rs 237.76 crore under the
Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) from Misrod to Bairagarh. And this would be a
closed system operating under BCLL (Bhopal City Link Limited), which is formed by the BMC to operate
BRT.
In all the Indian BRT corridors, Bhopal BRT is the longest one with 24 km. the best part of this BRT is that
it is passing through CBD (Central Business District) of the city while in all the others, BRT is constructed
outside the city. The operational system would be a combination of trunk feeder and direct services. The
whole city (City Map) has been divided into Trunk, Standard, Complimentary and Intermediate Para
Transit (IPT) routes. Mostly they are going to use the existing mini vans to complimentary and IPT
routes. The Political Pressure (Minivans Drivers Association) is very much high for allowing minivans to
standard routes.
Initially it was planned fully dedicated BRT for the total length with a Railway Over Bridge which is
coming in between the corridor. Later it is decided to take Short and selected points (such as less
congestion points in the city) of mixed traffic operations in between without undermining the
functionality of the entire system. And also to save the existing landscaping, Environment Friendly
Pedestrian Space such as Footpath and Street Furniture, mixed traffic condition with kerb side dedicated
markings for busses is decided. Overall, this mixed traffic operation has a negligible impact on BRT
system performance. In future, when the traffic is considerably increased this section can be converted
to dedicated BRT corridor.
The project was delayed due to the ROB construction which is in between the corridor. Surmounting
initial delays and hiccups, now the construction work of BRTS, Bhopal is moving to end.