Residents use BRTS lane as thoroughfare in city

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 19

Even as the police department has challaned several people for driving in the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) lane, constructed exclusively for plying BRTS buses, commuters continue to violate the rules with impunity.

It often causes accidents as commuters including four-wheelers at high speed, especially at night. Just last evening two persons got injured after a bike hit a cycle near Putlighar area. The cyclist was crossing the BRTS lane after entering from a broken grill just opposite to a private hospital when the biker, allegedly at high speed, coming towards Putlighar side from Khalsa College side could not locate the cyclist due to absence of proper street lights and hit the cyclist. Both were admitted to nearby private hospital.

Meenakshi, a local resident, sharing his experience said a few days ago she along with her husband had a narrow escape while crossing the lane from near bus stoppage shelter near Ganga building in the evening when a speedy car came dangerously close to them.

The BRTS was yet to be fully operationalised even after its launch over a year ago. Only few buses are currently operational at the moment. In the meantime, the iron grills fixed on the either side of the lane were broken by unscrupulous elements. The residents told that at some places people or shopkeepers had deliberately broke the grill to make a way for crossing roads instead of using foot bridges.

DCP Amrik Singh Pawar, said recently, traffic wing has launched a drive to check traffic violations. Those driving in the BRTS lane have been challaned during the drive. He said people should understand that driving in the BRTS lane would only put their lives at risk and they should avoid doing it.

I would ask the traffic police to take stern action against those driving in the lane, he added.