[sustran] LUDHIANA MC meeting today on BRTS approval

[Vinay Baindur]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/MC-meeting-today-on-BRTS-approval/articleshow/30281263.cms
*MC meeting today on BRTS approval*
TNN | Feb 12, 2014, 03.37 PM IST


LUDHIANA: An emergency house meeting of the municipal corporation has been
called on Wednesday to get approval for the Bus Rapid Transport System
(BRTS) in the city. The meeting has been called as emergency, keeping in
mind the model code of conduct that would come into force due to the
upcoming Lok Sabha elections, after which the project could be delayed
indefinitely.

The detailed project report of the BRTS has already been prepared by the
Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIBD), with an estimate of Rs1,250
crore for the same. Once the project gets the nod of the house, it will be
discussed with officials of the Ministry of Urban Development in New Delhi
on Friday.

"Once we get a nod from the central government, funds from JNNURM
(Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) will float in for the
project," asserted additional commissioner Isha Kalia. The 39-km BRTS will
be constructed in various parts of the city, and will provide relief to
people from traffic snarls, as the flyovers will have separate Volvo buses
running on it, with Jagraon Bridge Flyover as the main junction.

The project will have two lines -- Ferozepur Road to Jagraon Bridge
Flyover, and Vishkarma Chowk to Jagraon Bridge Flyover. Major roads of the
city -- including Hambran Road, Rahon Road, and Gill Road, will be
connected to the BRTS line. The decision to make the project a priority was
taken by deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal during his visit to the city on
Monday.