BRTS delay riles commuters

HUBBALLI: Work on the Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is moving at snail's pace and this has left people wondering when it will be completed. While the lack of signage along the road has led to many accidents, some workers on the spot don't seem to have any safety gear.
The BRTS corridor is 22.25km with the width of the cross-section ranging from 44m to 35m. The project is expected to ease traffic and help people commute quicker. Once the project is completed, BRTS buses will ply through a dedicated corridor from Hosur Circle in Hubballi to Jubilee Circle in Dharwad.

Citizens have been accusing the BRTS company of doing the work rather slowly. They also alleged that accidents have been occurring on the BRTS stretch due to lack of signage. "There were three accidents in one month on the stretch, all because of the lack of signage. Vehicles drivers and motorcyclists find it difficult to drive at night," said Subhas Hosur, a private company employee. Some allege that excavators and other heavy machines deployed at the site are working too close to vehicular traffic.

Citizens also alleged that labourers have been working without safety measures. Some workers, requesting anonymity, said they were not given safety gear. The workers work under the scorching sun. Though they work under a roof supported by iron rods, they working without helmets.

BRTS managing director M G Hiremath said work may be completed by this month-end. "As far as the signage is concerned, action will be taken immediately. We'll ensure that labourers wear safety gear while working," he added.

The BRTS sources said the trunk corridor includes segregated bus ways, controlled bus stations, physical and fare integration with BRT feeder, off-board ticketing through smart cards and tokens, and high quality buses (standard as well as articulated). The corridor is designed for operating regular and express services. The corridor consist of two lanes for BRTS buses on either side of the median bus station facilitating overtaking lanes for express services.