DELHI’S TRAFFIC concoction is made up of maniac bikers, killer Bluelines, monster trucks and indisciplined drivers. From traffic jams to fatal accidents, Delhi roads for many are a ’highway to hell’.

Over 4000 people have lost their lives in road accidents in the last three years. As many as 53 per cent of those killed in accidents are pedestrians and 29 per cent are two wheeler riders. Bluelines have caused around 111 accidents last year.

So, is it the planning or the people that has changed the capitals roads into a nightmare?

One of the most controversial roads today is the BRT corridor. The 5.6 km stretch of road from Ambedkar Road to Moolchand has been the source of many complaints from the day it turned functional. The lack of foot over bridges and confusion over lanes are responsible for terrible traffic jams.

One has to stand near the BRT corridor to spot the problem. “People just don’t follow the rules. Bikers drive in cycle lanes, signals are not followed, stopping or telling them won’t make a difference as they will not listen,” complained Sunil Verma, a BRT guard.

The BRT corridor has separate lanes for cars, buses, autos cycles and two wheelers. “The problem arises when people change their lanes and don’t follow rules,” said SRP. Yadav, another BRT guard.

The BRT corridor is not much of a problem for the pedestrian as it is being depicted in the media. Adds Yadav: “BRT corridor needs improvement for sure. But even if the pedestrians followed the signals properly, there won’t be a problem. There are proper signals to inform when to cross the road and when not to. It seems Delhites are not traffic signal literate.”

The bus rapid transport (BRT) system is followed in countries like Brazil, Columbia, New Zealand and so on. In Delhi, the BRT was introduced as a part of a development project ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010. From the day it became operational, complaints started pouring in. Around eight have died since. The project was strongly criticized by BJP. Said Rajya Sabha member, Chandan Mitra: “It was an ill conceived transport scheme, inconveniencing people.”

But, many disagree. RK Jha, an advocate who uses the BRT daily, says: “The BRT route is quite good for traveling. It is also more organized and the best thing about BRT is that buses cannot overtake. The route has also helped Delhities in becoming traffic literate.”

Jha makes a point when he says that the guards are not properly trained. “We need some trained stocky fellows. It’s only then that there will be discipline on this route.”

Frequent BRT user Devender feels that the BRT system should be followed all over Delhi. “Accidents happen all over. You can’t predict them. If the BRT is particularly vulnerable then keep a strict speed limit. The bus stops should have been at the side of the road. Keeping them in the centre is quite dangerous especially for kids,” he adds.

Despite all its flaws, the BRT corridor has finally introduced ’lane driving’, a concept that till now was alien to Delhi drivers. As Nandlal an auto rickshaw driver says” Planning and roads can change but the question is can people change?”