BENGALURU: If the government has its way, you will be able to cut down on your travel time in BMTC buses from the city centre to various destinations, especially tech hubs like Whitefield and

, from November 1. Dedicated bus lanes are being introduced in 12 high density corridors and the first phase will be thrown open on November 1.

BBMP commissioner BH Anil Kumar, who inspected the Bus Rapid Transport System on Sunday along with BMTC, Bescom, DULT officials and

, tweeted that the Palike identified 30km of road network to start with for dedicated bus lanes along high-density traffic corridors. “The exact route will be announced by the chief minister. These dedicated lanes will help commuters reduce travel time from the city centre to tech hubs,” he told TOI.

Government sources said the 30km network connecting MG Road (Trinity Circle) – KR Puram – Central Silk Board Junction – Vellara Junction will be the first to have a dedicated bus lane.

Deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan confirmed the development. “The intent is to provide the best possible solution in the shortest possible time. More than BRTS, we are trying to encourage public transport to decongest Bengaluru. We will create an exclusive bus lane and increase the number of buses on these 12 corridors. But first we will look at the feasibility and then implement it at the ground level.”

Road space won’t be reduced

Asked whether bus lanes would reduce space for private vehicles, given that Metro and other constructions are also happening along the corridors, Anil Kumar said they have already widened roads along some of the corridors to ensure another lane is available for buses. “The lane will be 3.5 metres wide,” he added.

Sensitise commuters

Urban expert RK Misra told TOI the prime focus of the dedicated bus lanes is to promote public transport and reduce travel time. “To travel from MG Road to Whitefield or KR Puram to Silk Board, or Silk Board to MG Road, it takes more than an hour during day peak-hour traffic. We want to reduce it to 30 minutes, and efforts are being made. The vehicle speed on Outer Ring Road (ORR), which is 6km/hr at present, needs to be increased. When sufficient public transport is provided at right points and travel time reduced, citizens will take up the services,” he added. Many citizen groups hailed the proposal, but wanted the government to sensitise commuters before its implementation.