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Commuters suffer as 7000
buses go off Delhi roads

Commuters in the capital were put to severe hardship on Saturday as nearly 7,000 diesel buses remained off the roads following the Supreme Court imposing a heavy fine on such vehicles.

The buses constitute nearly half the capital's bus fleet.

Commuters had to suffer overcrowded buses and brave heavy crowds at bus stops. Being a Saturday, several schools and government and public sector offices were closed, which eased the problem to a certain extent.

However, the situation could take a serious turn from Monday and the state government is even toying with the idea of closing down schools for some time.

"There is no need to panic," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters in Delhi on the bus operators' decision to withdraw diesel-run vehicles.

"The government is holding talks with bus operators and we hope they would put their diesel buses back on the roads by Monday," she said.

Explaining the basis of her 'hope', the chief minister said that the bus operators have to 'earn their livelihood' and that a fine of Rs 500 per day 'will not affect their pockets'.

She ruled out any possibility of the government bearing the fines, saying it would amount to contempt of court.

More than 1000 Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses are at present being used by schools to transport students. A contingency plan is being worked out and more of RTVs (Rural Transport Vehicle) and other private mini-buses and vans may be requisitioned, she said.

Dikshit said 1,000 CNG buses would be added to the government-run DTC fleet of 2100.

Transport Minister Ajay Maken, who was also present at the press conference, said those operators not willing to ply their vehicles would have to deposit their permits with the transport authority as per the statutory condition for issuance of permits.

He said that every attempt would be made to ensure that commuters are not put to any hardship.

General secretary of the Private Bus Operators' Welfare Association Himmat Singh said the court's decision had come at a time when CNG was in short supply and truck operators had to wait in endless queues at gas stations.

PTI

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