Residents stage protest against Bus Rapid Transit System in Dharwad

Alleging that the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), introduced with the promise of ensuring faster and smoother travel, has instead become a source of daily inconvenience, residents staged a road blockade near Vidyagiri on Wednesday (August 5), demanding immediate corrective measures.

The protesters said public representatives and officials, who had promised citizens an efficient transport system before the project was launched, should now answer for the problems being faced by commuters. Residents of Vidyagiri, Sattur and neighbouring localities alleged that BRTS, which was expected to improve urban mobility, had turned into a cause of frequent disruptions.

The BRTS, launched over a decade ago to provide rapid transit between Hubballi and Dharwad, has failed to meet public expectations, they said. Instead of facilitating smooth traffic movement, it has become an obstacle to seamless commuting. They alleged that repeated representations and appeals seeking improvements had gone unheeded.