LG seeks bus lane file from AAP govt again

Move comes nearly month after he okayed it

For the second time in four months, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has asked for a file from the Delhi government on its proposal for imposing a fine of Rs 2,000 on motorists if they obstruct a road lane which would be reserved for buses.

“In June, Jung had given his go ahead, but don’t know why he has again sought file despite the fact that we have incorporated traffic police views also, as asked by the LG office, in the draft notification,” an official source said.

Officials also expressed fears that the recall of the file may further delay the implementation of the proposal aimed at ensuring fast movement of public transport buses and attracting more people to give up cars for buses.

The Lieutenant Governor earlier in March sought the file for a clarification on some of the issues raised in the note of the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on Feb 26. The file was sent to his office on June 3.

On June 6, Jung had approved government’s proposal to create bus lanes, but also asked it to come out clean on some issues including plying of goods vehicles in bus lanes and relaxations to emergency vehicles, in the notification to be issued by it and to ensure smooth movement of traffic and maintenance of public order.

The government had recommended giving “special power”to junior engineers and PWD officials senior to JEs to impound vehicles and challan motorists obstructing buses on the dedicated lanes.

However, Jung asked the  government to specify delegation of powers to officers of various departments for prosecuting different offences/ violations and give clear guidelines for allowing emergency vehicles to use the dedicated bus land.

Jung approved the notification with a suggestion that buses and goods vehicles shall move only in dedicated bus lanes provided and indicate penal provisions for such violations.