Cool Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) has come with its advantages too. Over 90 per cent of the people who spoke during a TOI survey on
BRTS felt that the project had come as a blessing not only for those looking for an effective and fast public transport system but also for those Amdavadis who use their own vehicles.

Mushrooming flyovers along the BRTS corridors is one such example which has found favour with the denizens. The BRTS stretch has seen the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation constructing no less than 12 flyovers, including one at Shahibaugh.

Though several flyovers are yet to come up in phase I and II, daily commuters are already quite happy with the three flyovers along the 132-feet ring at Shivranjani, Helmet and AEC Crossroads near Sola.

These three overpasses are open for public while the AMC plans another nine flyovers, including the one at Shahibaugh and another at Iskcon Crossroad.

The one at Iskcon Crossroad is part of the second phase of the BRTS which would connect Shivranjani Crossroad to Bopal. This has also helped the cause of walkers. BRTS project has ensured that the pedestrians crossings get wider and safer. There are 4.8-m wide pedestrian crossings at each junction and also wider crossings to cater to bus passengers.

Officials said that the split flyovers at 132-feet ring road, running parallel to BRTS corridor, help vehicles to move uninterrupted. However, the traffic which runs below this flyover has to stop but this is also for a less than a minute.