Foreword

India is urbanising rapidly. Over the last decade, with strong government support, many of our cities have undertaken path-breaking initiatives in resolving issues associated with urban transport, and specifically mass transit systems. The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is now acknowledged as a key mode to help large-scale mobility of people. It is also recognised for its ability to allocate road space equitably. This is in consonance with our National Urban Transport Policy.

I am happy to say that India now has eighteen cities at various stages of progress in their BRTS journey. The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) is extending sustained support to these cities, not only through capital funding for infrastructure and rolling stock but also through capacity building. The four Centres of Excellence in Urban Transport that were established in 2009 four years ago at IIT Delhi, CEPT University Ahmedabad, IIT Chennai and NIT Warangal, are doing excellent work.

MoUD has seen and supported the evolution of Ahmedabad’s BRT system since its inception in 2005. We have seen how the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and CEPT University have worked in partnership at all stages of the project and continue to do so even today. In fact, one of the many things that make this a success story has been the partnership between these two organisations.

The present book on the Design Evolution of Ahmedabad’s BRTS will prove very useful to all cities in India that are engaged in developing BRT systems. The name Janmarg itself is interesting—a marg or street meant for people. This book shares the Janmarg experience. It does not seek to prescribe a particular design or method, but to trace the evolution of the rationale underlying some critical decisions, the necessity to go beyond conventional design and to adapt to local situations. I am sure other cities will benefit from this book, and that it will be a valuable resource for researchers and academics as well as students.

Lastly, about the authors: the excellent contribution of Prof. Shivanand Swamy and his team at the Centre of Excellence in Urban Transport at CEPT University, and their passion for and dedication to their work is exemplary. I have had the opportunity of observing the contribution of Shri I. P. Gautam who, as the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad, guided the BRTS project and worked closely with CEPT University. I wish them all the very best and look forward to their sharing many more stories about Janmarg.

Dr. Sudhir Krishna, IAS Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India 10th May 2014