New Delhi: Over 500 of 840 `killer`
blueline buses went off the capital roads on Tuesday in tune with a
deadline set by the Delhi Government, which impounded 28
private buses for plying without a permit.
As many as 328 blueline buses will continue to ply on
roads in the national capital after the Delhi High Court
yesterday allowed buses with permits beyond yesterday to
continue with their services.
Transport Department officials impounded 28 blueline
buses which were plying on roads after expiry of their
permits. Sources said Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely
also participated in the raids in the morning.
"Over 500 blueline buses whose permits ended yesterday
went off roads today. Only 328 buses who have permits are
plying," a senior Transport Department official said.
He said out of the 328 buses, permits of 223 will
expire only in April 2012. Permits of the rest will end
sometime this year, the official said.
Delhi Government had set yesterday as the last day for
Blueline buses in Delhi, but two bus owners approached the
High Court seeking a stay. The court ordered that buses with
permits can continue to ply.
The official said the Government will not extend the
permit of the blueline buses anymore.
With over 500 buses off the roads, the state-run DTC
inducted over 300 buses into its fleet to cater to the people.
However, commuters alleged that they were put to severe
inconvenience as DTC buses were not available frequently.
Asked whether the government will appeal against the
High Court`s order, the official said a final decision on the
issue will be taken once the court`s order is received.
"We have not yet received the court`s order. We will
decide on appealing against the order only after receiving the
the copy of the order," he said.
Transport Department has made elaborate arrangements
to check that blueline buses do not ply without permit from
today. Officials kept a close watch on vehicles and squads
were posted at important junctions to impound such vehicles.
The Transport Department is confident that DTC will
cater to the needs of the people with a fleet of 6,200,
including 3,575 low-floor buses. It will induct over 500 new
buses into its fleet in a week`s time.
The cluster bus service will be launched with 50 buses
anytime between February 7 and 10 along the Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) corridor in south Delhi.
PTI
