Amritsar’s RS 600-crore BRTS corridor to be dismantled; 100 e-buses planned for regular routes
Kulwinder Singh
Amritsar (Punjab), September 9, 2026: The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project in Amritsar, built at a cost of around ₹600 crore, is set to undergo a major overhaul, with the existing dedicated corridor, platforms and railings to be dismantled.
The move is aimed at freeing up road space and improving traffic flow in the city. Under the new plan, buses will operate alongside regular traffic instead of running through a dedicated central corridor.
The first phase of Amritsar’s BRTS was launched on December 15, 2016, and was inaugurated by then Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Subsequent efforts were made to revive and popularise the service, including initiatives such as free bus travel for students during the Congress government. However, the system failed to achieve the sustained public response that had been expected.
AAP MLA from Amritsar South, Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, said the basic design of the BRTS was not suitable for a city like Amritsar. According to him, the centrally located corridor made it inconvenient for passengers to reach bus stations and exit them. The considerable distance between several stations also encouraged commuters to opt for autos and other three-wheelers instead of BRTS buses.
Nijjar said several measures were taken to increase ridership, which at one stage reached around 60,000 passengers a day. Despite this, the system continued to incur significant operational losses.
He said the BRTS was reportedly suffering a loss of around ₹2 crore every month, making it financially unsustainable in its existing form.
Under the revised model, around 100 electric buses are being planned for operation on regular city routes. These buses are expected to hit the roads by November.
Preparations are also underway to strengthen the charging and parking infrastructure. Apart from the existing parking facility at Verka, a new parking and charging station is being developed at Mall Mandi at a cost of around ₹3.5 crore. The facility is targeted for completion by next month.
Amritsar Mayor Jatinder Singh ‘Moti Bhattia’ said the BRTS project had been developed at an expenditure of approximately ₹600 crore but had not fully achieved its intended objective of easing traffic congestion.
He said the BRTS service had been discontinued and restarted several times in the past, and the decision has now been taken to remove the dedicated corridor and open up the road for general traffic.
According to the Mayor, the BRTS corridor occupies around 30 feet of road space, affecting the space available for traffic on both sides. Its removal is expected to improve traffic movement.
A key change under the new electric bus system will be the introduction of more frequent bus stops. This is expected to make public transport more accessible by reducing the distance passengers need to walk to board or exit a bus.
The authorities also expect the expanded network of stops to reduce dependence on autos and three-wheelers for short connections to and from bus stations.
Officials have clarified that the BRTS bus service itself is not being completely scrapped. Instead, its operating model is being changed. The dedicated corridor, platforms and railings will be removed, while buses will continue to provide public transport services on regular roads.
The new system is expected to provide more road space for general traffic while offering Amritsar residents a wider and more accessible electric bus network.