opinion: bhopal & indore brts is gone—a win for car owners, a loss for everyone else
The dismantling of Indore’s iBus, the BRT system, has been celebrated by many as a win for commuters including Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav. But let’s pause for a moment and ask- who are these “commuters” we’re talking about? In India, it seems, only people in cars and on two-wheelers matter. Bus users, the lifeline of public transport, are conveniently ignored.
Strangely, the Madhya Pradesh government didn’t think it was necessary to ask the lakhs who relied on the iBus BRTS in Indore or Mobus BRTS in Bhopal if they found the system helpful. Were their commutes smoother? Was it making their lives easier? The answer didn’t matter. Their voices were drowned out by the louder, more privileged cries of car owners stuck in traffic.
Presently, AICTSL runs a total of 49 buses on the 11.5 km-long BRTS that was constructed in 2013 at a cost of around Rs 350 crore. As per AICTSL daily commuters number between 50,000 and 65,000 through its ibuses that are operated on BRTS.
The removal of BRTS might have brought some relief for private vehicle owners albeit going to be a short-lived experience, but it’s come at a steep cost. Bus users now suffer longer, unreliable journeys, caught in the same chaotic traffic as everyone else. This isn’t progress-it’s prioritizing the convenience of the few over the needs of the many.
When will we stop equating “commuters” with car owners and start valuing public transport users? If we continue dismantling systems meant to serve the majority, the future of sustainable urban transport in India looks bleak. The BRTS didn’t fail its users—the system failed to be implemented well. The solution wasn’t to tear it down but to fix it.
For a country where most rely on buses and public transport, this is more than just bad policy—it’s a glaring example of inequity on our roads.
A Blow to Public Transport Users
The removal has disproportionately impacted bus commuters, many of whom are from lower-income backgrounds. The dedicated lanes ensured that buses could travel faster and more reliably, providing a lifeline for those dependent on affordable public transport. Without the BRTS, buses get caught in the same traffic as private vehicles, reducing efficiency and attractiveness.
As per the MP govt latest data, the total number of registered vehicles in Bhopal was 15,07,613 while the total number of vehicles registered in the industrial capital Indore was 21,61,300, as of January 31, 2023.
This shift risks pushing more people toward private vehicles, leading to increased congestion and pollution—a bitter irony given that BRTS was supposed to curb these very issues.
A Lost Opportunity for Equitable Urban Planning
While the BRTS had its flaws, its removal reflects a broader neglect of public transport in favour of private convenience. Instead of improving and optimizing the system, authorities chose to scrap it, sending a discouraging signal to advocates of sustainable urban planning.
This decision underlines a troubling urban trend: prioritizing the convenience of a car-owning minority over the needs of the bus-dependent majority. Cities like Ahmedabad have demonstrated that, with proper planning and commitment, BRTS can work wonders. Could Bhopal & Indore not have learned from their successes instead of abandoning the system altogether?
The Way Forward For BRTS
The removal of the BRTS should not mark the end of Bhopal & Indore’s pursuit of an efficient public transport system. Authorities must recognize the importance of equitable infrastructure that serves all sections of society, especially those who lack the privilege of private vehicles.
Investments in improving bus frequency, integrating multimodal transport systems, and creating better traffic management solutions could provide the relief commuters seek without marginalizing bus users. Additionally, public awareness campaigns could have encouraged more people to use the BRTS, easing the load on roads.
While the dismantling of Bhopal’s BRTS may have temporarily eased traffic woes, it is a step backwards in the city’s journey toward sustainable urban development. A city’s transport policy should not prioritize one group of commuters at the expense of another.
Madhya Pradesh must rethink its approach, striving for a future where public transport isn’t an afterthought, but a central pillar of its urban infrastructure.
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