The Delhi government and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) today came under fire from the National Green Tribunal after they failed to produce statistics with regard to rationalisation of bus routes in the capital.
Exasperated at the failure of DTC to submit a data-backed study on the issue, the tribunal directed Managing Director of DTC to appear before it tomorrow.
"Why did you not conduct any study on rationalisation of bus routes in Delhi. There has to be some study or document on the basis of which you will planning your routes. Call your MD to be present tomorrow," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, which stopped short of imposing costs on DTC, said.
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The observation came after the Delhi government highlighted the benefits of introducing more buses on the roads.
The city government told the green panel that the "good impact" would be that once these buses come on road, people travelling on two-wheelers would avoid their vehicles and travel by these buses and the load will shift on buses.
People will opt for these buses as they would be air conditioned and their frequency will be better, it said.
"What makes you think so. Have you seen these buses? 70 per cent of them are empty most of the time. Out of 10,000, how many buses do you propose to introduce on the city roads before April 1, 2016? What size buses are these?," the bench asked.
The city government told the tribunal that a total of 1,380 standard size buses are to be introduced before April 1, 2016 while 500 midi buses would be launched.
"The midi buses would ply in rural areas and outskirts of Delhi so that people don't face problem while commuting across the city. With regard to 1,380 buses, these would be deployed as per requirement of the area," the Delhi government said.
On the issue of running new buses, the bench asked, "Have you prepared route chart and timings? How will you prepare your route chart and on what basis? It is your wish and there is no study or statistics that this is the total number of passengers and this is the requirement.
"DTC was asked to rationalise its bus routes. Have they taken any stand? Do you know what a study means? Have you collected any data? Deputy chief general manager (mechanical) says passenger demand is to be looked into. Have you carried out any study with regard to requirement of passengers?" the bench said.
