The ambitious plan to introduce three Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) corridors in the Greater Kochi area remains unfulfilled, six years after a feasibility report was submitted to the State government. This delay is a significant setback for a project designed to alleviate traffic congestion and promote sustainable urban mobility.
The proposed BRT corridors, identified in a 2018 Rebuild Kerala initiative, aimed to improve transit efficiency and reduce reliance on private vehicles. The planned routes included a corridor from Poothotta to Angamaly via Seaport-Airport Road, Eramalloor to Kodungalloor, and Aluva to Angamaly. The intention was to create dedicated lanes for buses, thereby facilitating uninterrupted service and easing traffic in Kochi and its suburbs.
However, despite the project’s potential benefits, including the deployment of e-buses to further enhance sustainability, the corridors have yet to materialise. According to the former Executive Officer of the Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority (KMTA), these BRT corridors would significantly reduce the need for travellers to pass through the congested city centre. Additionally, the upcoming 44-km Kundannoor-Angamaly Greenfield NH 544 stretch, expected to be completed by 2027, presents another opportunity to test BRT systems.
The persistent delay in realising these BRT corridors reflects broader challenges in urban transport planning and implementation. The potential advantages of such corridors—reduced congestion, improved public transport efficiency, and lower environmental impact—underscore the need for renewed focus and action. As Greater Kochi continues to grapple with traffic issues, the successful deployment of these BRT corridors could prove crucial in reshaping the city’s transport landscape and achieving long-term sustainability goals.
