HERITAGE WORLDWIDE e newsletter

Bus Rapid Transit System ride to take you in heritage lane

BY Jamal AyubJamal Ayub, TNN | Jun 12, 2012, 01.00AM IST

BHOPAL: Dedicated lanes of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor-the country's longest-will be much more than just concrete and tar. Once the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) project comes through-- signages on city's BRTS will take you back in time to give an idea of city's past-heritage, art- and present-its link with nature.

Be it inspirational motifs from frescos from 1870 design of city's Sadar Manzil palace, Bagh imprints from Dhar going as far back as 3000 BC or varied range inspiration from nature. "The designs are inspired by the elements with the city and the state. It is a way of introducing the same to the new generation and tourists alike," said BMC commissioner Rajneesh Shrivastava.

"Murals reflecting historical importance of palaces and heritage structures of the city would also be displayed on walls passing through the BRTS," he added.

The designs would form road backdrops taking inspiration from heritage elements of the city. "The idea is to fill vacant spaces by lending a touch of indigenous designs," said designer Huzoor Choudhry, who has been commissioned for the project. Choudhry's earlier work in Bhopal has been internationally-recognised.

"Most of my designs are inspired from historic palaces in Bhopal and nature," he said. Railings, signages or even streetlights would have an artistic feel.

The BMC also plans to sell the each pergola t-rail frame across the corridor to advertisers. "We hope this ad space would attract a premium," said a BMC official.

The design would not stop just at signages. Bus stops across the BRTS would have a heritage element reflecting the glorious history of the past.

In the project's first phase, Link road No.1 will be developed soon. And going by the BMC official's claim the country's longest stretch of BRTS could well be the most creative.