For Ahmedabad, BRTS happened at right time: Sunita Narain

In what could be termed as a compliment for the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation bosses, environmentalist and Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) member Sunita Narain on Friday said that the city air was much cleaner now.

Narain, who was in the city, also took a ride on the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), which she thinks has happened at the right time for Ahmedabad. 

When questioned about Ahmedabad BRTS she said it is fantastic. 

"I am thrilled because Ahmedabad BRTS happened at the right time. What is important is that you did not wait for the roads to get crowded with cars before thinking of BRTS and making space for it. Otherwise your city would have faced a Delhi-like situation," said Narain.

She said that given its growth, Ahmedabad will soon join the league of cities like Delhi where 460 new cars take to the roads every day.

"This is the time to create option (for citizens). I liked the part that Ahmedabad BRTS planners have not thought small because we need the system for future. Ultimately, my vision for a city is one which moves towards prosperity but still remains a low car city.
And with BRTS that transition has begun for Ahmedabad," said Narain.

Narain during her visit also met municipal commissioner IP Gautam on Friday.

Narain, who was among the EPCA members who pushed for use of eco-friendly fuels like CNG in city buses, said she can feel the difference now. 

"My nose is like a sanitary inspector and I can tell you that Ahmedabad air is much cleaner now. If you remember EPCA was the agency that pushed for CNG use and it has been important for the city. Hope people here realise that," said Narain.

She said that it was a tough call for them to chose between CNG and diesel buses at that time and she is happy that they made diesel bus a choice.  "At that time it was a choice between doing something and not doing something. In the end it is a bus that is more important than a car. And with that decision if you can accelerate the speed of change in Ahmedabad, the city will be left with less car," said Narain talking about how BRTS can help city becoming less polluted.   

In a suggestion to the AMC Narain said the challenge ahead was to continue with the transition.  "The future will be to look at
BRT mobility plan and how BRTS can be integrated with other modes of transport," she said.