The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project could be pulled out of cold storage and become a reality shortly. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, while interacting with TOI journalists last week, said the project was "still on the cards". Chavan said, "I have not given up completely on BRTS, an internationally proven system. It can redress Mumbai's travel woes and facilitate mass transportation on the northsouth corridor. Our main hurdle in implementing it last year was the congestion on the roads, among other factors. Maybe after the civic elections, we will consider giving it a second try." Government officials said that though priority has been accorded to the Metro and monorail projects, BRTS is still seen as something that is desirable for the city. The BRTS is being used successfully in cities like Bogota in Bolivia and Sao Paulo in Brazil, as well as Delhi and Ahmedabad. So are we likely to see large red buses winging their way across the Eastern and Western Express highways at two to three-minute intervals? BEST panel member Dilip Patel said, "If the system is a success in neighbouring Gujarat, why not here?" He said that the BEST authorities were in "ready mode" since last year. All the undertaking needs is a green signal from the MMRDA, he added. "If the authorities are given a 24-hour notice, they will be able to ply on dedicated lanes," Patel said. MMRDA had initiated a proposal a while back to launch a dedicated bus lane on WEH between Jogeshwari and Kandivli as a precursor to BRTS. This is still in limbo because of "lack of infrastructure on the express highway", sources said. The project envisages special lanes being carved out on main highways dedicated to rapid bus movement. MMRDA planners said that the BRTS project has been discussed and will need the state government's approval. With the monorail almost ready and the Metro underway, experts say it is time to go ahead with the BRTS project. Waiting In The Wings The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project was mooted over a decade ago Former MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad ordered a study three years ago to look into the feasibility of the project The study recommended that the BRTS be carried out initially only on WEH and EEH and BEST was told to run the service The study was handed over to the BEST and the state government to look into the implementation of the project Trials were carried out by the MMRDA, BEST and traffic police. Consultants were told to prepare a detailed report and the estimated cost of the project was put at Rs 1,100 crore. But even though a lot of ground work was done, the project is in limbo Bumpy Take-Off Planners felt the road system in the city was not suited for the system. BRTS needs large roads and a dedicated lane for buses. There are only two highways and few arterial roads which could take the BRTS Problems encountered by the BRTS project in Delhi led planners to rethink the introduction of the project in Mumbai. The traffic police in Delhi had trouble keeping other vehicles out of the dedicated bus lanes