Hubballi: Rajendra Cholan , managing director, HDBRTS declared the company is fully prepared for the official launch of the Hubballi-Dharwad BRTS service, following a stakeholders meeting at a hotel in the city on Thursday. Cholan said the company will soon announce the date of the official launch and until then, 10 new BRTS buses will be added every 10 days to the existing fleet.However, during the meeting, participants raised some concerns which HDBRTS has agreed to resolve. MP Pralhad Joshi wanted officials to ensure the footpaths constructed on either side of the BRTS lane remain free from encroachment. He said strict action should be taken against those who break the rule.“Also, people have to cross to the centre of the road to reach BRTS stops (corridors), so skywalks with elevators should be set up,” Joshi said. “We have also received reports that the flyovers at Unkal, Navalur and Navangar are of substandard quality. The contractor should be taken to task.”Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar also suggested that the Hosur junction be widened and developed for smooth movement of traffic. He also appealed to leaders of all religions to cooperate with officials to have places of worship — which are obstructing road development — removed.Prasad Abbayya, MLA, expressed concern over the height of the parapet wall of the flyover built by BRTS and suggested that it be increased to prevent potential tragedies. He also suggested BRTS build commercial complexes in their terminals and corridors to increase revenue generation.Corporator Sanjay Kapatkar said BRTS officials have not provided an UGD line at Yallakki Shettar Colony — the entry point of BRTS in Dharwad . Others wanted the government to ban Bendre private transport service, while some demanded that the government retain NWKRTC buses within city limits.Cholan said 70% of footpath work has been completed and promised action to ensure footpaths are free of encroachment. He said skywalks will be built at seven strategic points between Hubballi-Dharwad and an UGD line will be laid at nine places.He said team members concerned will work on widening Hosur junction, and roads which cause traffic congestionDCP B S Nemgouda said, “We will provide entry points where necessary. If we provide more points, it may create traffic hurdles and it could lead to accidents. We are looking into demand of providing entry points where necessary.”

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