In a significant development aimed at addressing the escalating traffic congestion in Indore, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to dismantle the city's Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor. This decision underscores the judiciary's responsiveness to evolving urban dynamics and the imperative of adapting infrastructure to current needs.
The BRTS corridor in Indore, operational since 2013, spans approximately 11.8 kilometers, connecting Rajeev Gandhi Square to Dewas Naka. Initially conceived to provide a dedicated lane for buses, thereby enhancing public transportation efficiency, the corridor was part of a broader initiative to modernize urban transit under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The project, involving collaboration between the central and state governments and the World Bank, was implemented by Atal Indore City Transport Services Ltd (AICTSL).
Over the years, however, the corridor's effectiveness came under scrutiny. A surge in the number of private vehicles led to increased traffic volumes, rendering the dedicated BRTS lane a point of contention. Commuters and urban planners observed that the corridor, instead of alleviating traffic woes, was contributing to congestion on adjacent lanes, thereby impeding the overall traffic flow.
The issue culminated in public interest litigations filed by Indore residents K.D. Kodwani and N.M. Qureshi in 2013, challenging the practicality and utility of the BRTS corridor. The petitioners highlighted several concerns, including inadequate parking facilities, increased traffic snarls, and the lack of permanent approval from the transport department for the operational vehicles.
Responding to these grievances, the High Court constituted a five-member expert committee in September 2024 to assess the corridor's viability. The committee's findings were unequivocal, stating that the BRTS corridor had lost its utility in the current scenario due to the substantial increase in traffic volume and the resultant congestion on both sides of the corridor.
Concurrently, the state government's affidavit, filed on February 27, 2025, acknowledged the transformed urban landscape of Indore over the past decade. The city witnessed significant population growth and spatial expansion, leading to continuous traffic jams, particularly during peak hours. The government recognized that the BRTS corridor, once a solution, had become part of the problem in the evolving urban context.
In light of these developments, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain ordered the removal of the BRTS corridor. The court's directive emphasized the need for infrastructure that aligns with current urban demands and facilitates seamless traffic movement. The bench noted that both the petitioners and the state authorities concurred on the redundancy of the BRTS project, thereby mandating its dismantling in accordance with the state's policy decision.
The state government has proposed constructing a series of seven flyovers in place of the dismantled BRTS corridor. These flyovers aim to provide parallel roads to enhance traffic mobility, with strategically placed junctions to ensure a free flow of vehicles and minimize public inconvenience. This infrastructural shift reflects a strategic move towards accommodating the burgeoning number of private vehicles and addressing the limitations of previous public transit solutions.
This decision follows a similar move in Bhopal, where the state government dismantled the BRTS corridor to alleviate traffic congestion. In November 2024, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the removal of the BRTS corridor in Indore, aligning with the government's broader strategy to improve urban mobility and reduce traffic woes.
The dismantling of Indore's BRTS corridor marks a pivotal shift in urban planning and public transportation strategy. It highlights the necessity for adaptive infrastructure that evolves in tandem with urban growth and changing commuter patterns. As cities expand and the dynamics of transportation change, such proactive measures are essential to ensure that infrastructure serves the public effectively without becoming an impediment to progress.
In conclusion, the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order to dismantle the BRTS corridor in Indore underscores the importance of responsive urban planning. It reflects a commitment to reevaluating and restructuring urban infrastructure to better serve the populace, ensuring that development projects remain beneficial and relevant in the face of changing urban realities.
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