Bus Rapid Transit System For Amritsar
The context
The Government of Punjab through Punjab Bus Metro Society (PBMS) has taken up the task of implementation of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) for Amritsar city. PBMS has engaged UMTC to carry out the design, securing approvals, tendering and project management consultancy for complete implementation of BRTS in Amritsar.
Services
Identification of mass transit corridors was systematically done by taking Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) corridors identified in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Amritsar and conducting a detailed alternative analysis. A Bus Rapid Transit System was found to be the most appropriate system for Amritsar.
A 31 km BRT corridor has been proposed in the city with median side double docking stations
- Atari Road – ISBT to India Gate via Bhandari Bridge, GNDU, Chheharta (12 km);
- Jalandhar Road – ISBT to MCA Gate via Tarawalan Pul (6 km); and
- Verka Road – ISBT to Verka via Hussainpura Bridge, G. T. Road Bypass (13 km)
A few design innovations have been developed in this project by UMTC. One of them is that the BRTS stations are retrofitted on the existing elevated roads. Besides this, some design interventions have been made on Bhandari Bridge, as it is the most critical RoB connecting the northern and southern part of the city.
For providing last mile connectivity to the citizens, a public bike sharing program was planned and designed. Apart from this, cycle tracks and auto rickshaw stops have also been incorporated, in design. Special care is taken to make the transit systems accessible to all sections of the people including the physically challenged and senior citizens.
The project, worth Rs 495 Crores, was approved by MoUD in 130th CSMC meeting and is now under implementation with funding from both, the Government of Punjab and Govt. of India.