Chaos prevailed in several areas of the national capital on Monday as an estimated 3000 diesel run buses were pulled off the roads following a directive from the Delhi government asking for phasing out of these buses. Several office goers and school children had a hard time even as some transport unions, who were on a dharna for the last two days, threatened to intensify their agitation against the order.
The Bus Operators Joint Action Committee and Joint Action Committee of Transporters decided to intensify the agitation and alleged that internal politics between Delhi government and the Centre led to the deadlock.
They claimed that the Delhi government had failed to find any alternative to 60 per cent of buses that were forced off the roads from Saturday.
The crisis erupted earlier this week following an order by Delhi government asking private operators to phase out diesel buses by December one or they would be impounded. Delhi Transport Minister Pervez Hashmi said government had made available nearly 2000 buses to nullify the impact.
Education Minister Narendra Nath said all public schools had been asked to make their own arrangements.
Meanwhile, transport unions have threatened to pull off CNG buses if any solution was not worked out.
Bureau Report