BRTS Corridors in Surat turn into Deadly Traps

Surat : The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridors in Surat, designed to streamline traffic flow and enhance commuter safety, have instead become hazardous thoroughfares due to the prolonged closure of crucial swing gates. Intended to prevent unauthorized vehicle access, these gates now lay dormant across key areas such as Varachha, Katargam, Ved Road, and Adajan, leading to a surge in accidents and chaos among commuters.

Installed at considerable expense—3.83 crores for 276 gates—the swing gates were part of a comprehensive effort to secure the BRTS corridors from private vehicle intrusion and safeguard pedestrians. However, the failure lies not in their design but in the lack of maintenance by the leaseholder, Technocrat Security Systems, based in Mumbai. Despite multiple notices and calls for action from municipal authorities, approximately 220 swing gates remain firmly closed, rendering them ineffective and exacerbating safety concerns.

The issue dates back to the completion of the swing gates’ installation between 2015 and 2020, with Technocrat Security Systems entrusted with a two-year defect liability period followed by five years of maintenance responsibilities. Throughout this tenure, repeated failures in gate operation prompted numerous warnings and even a pre-termination notice from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in February 2020.

Recent efforts to rectify the situation, including direct intervention by the Municipal Commissioner and assurances from the contractor in March 2024, have failed to yield results. Promises to restore functionality within two-and-a-half months have stretched into five months of inaction, leaving commuters and local leaders frustrated.

Former Mayor Hemali Boghavala has joined public outcry, highlighting the urgency of the issue through protests and appeals. In response, the SMC has debated blacklisting Technocrat Security Systems, a move supported by standing chairman Rajan Patel in a March 7 meeting. Despite these discussions, decisive action against the contractor remains elusive, drawing criticism from concerned citizens and opposition parties alike.

“The current situation is untenable,” remarked a local resident, expressing dismay over the lack of accountability. “These corridors were meant to improve our commute, not endanger lives.”

With accidents on the rise and public patience wearing thin, Surat’s administration faces mounting pressure to resolve the swing gate debacle swiftly.