Temporary dividers from railings get mayor’s nod:Contractor halts work and uncertainty continues over Indore BRTS removal plan

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in Indore is far from over. With the contractor halting work on removing BRTS infrastructure, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is now considering using existing railings to create temporary road dividers—a proposal that has received the mayor’s approval. Contractor stops work, corporation faces challenge The contractor responsible for removing BRTS railings and bus stops has refused to continue work after meeting the municipal commissioner. As a result, the responsibility of dismantling BRTS railings, bus stops and beams has now fallen entirely on the municipal corporation. Earlier, following strong observations by the High Court, the IMC had initiated the process of removing BRTS railings. However, the contractor’s withdrawal has added to the civic body’s difficulties. Temporary dividers from old railings Public Works Committee in-charge Rajendra Rathore suggested that the old BRTS railings could be reused to create temporary dividers in the middle of the road. Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava has agreed to this proposal. Currently, railings have been removed from one side of the BRTS corridor at several locations, while the other side still has railings and bus stops in place. To prevent traffic disruptions, the corporation has started removing railings in front of bus stops and is exploring the option of converting old railings into temporary dividers. Rathore said the idea was discussed in a recent Mayor-in-Council (MIC) meeting and later presented to the mayor, who gave his consent. The future roadmap for the remaining BRTS work will be finalised after the next court hearing. Project turns unviable for contractor According to sources, the contractor claimed that the valuation of railings and other materials by the civic body was significantly higher than expected, making the project financially unviable. Citing losses, the contractor decided to stop work. PWD plans add another layer Meanwhile, a tender related to the BRTS central divider has reportedly been put on hold after it emerged that the Public Works Department (PWD) plans to construct a central divider along the same stretch as part of an elevated corridor project. PWD officials are expected to hold discussions with the municipal corporation on the matter. With multiple agencies involved and work stalled, the final outcome of the BRTS dismantling exercise in Indore now hinges on upcoming hearings and inter-departmental coordination.