Strengthen DTC bus service at night: CM

Keeping in view of the recent incident of rape in a moving bus in Delhi, chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday instructed the transport department to strengthen DTC’s night bus service while ensuring security in them at the same time. As a result, it has been decided that the Delhi Transport Corporation will now ply 85 buses during night time instead of its present fleet of 42.  

The decision was taken in a transport department’s meeting attended by transport minister Ramakant Goswami, chief secretary P K Tripathi, transport commissioner Rajinder Kumar and other senior officers.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Dikshit said the transport department has been told to take all possible measures to bring a substantial improvement in the transport services and run adequate number of buses in night time.

“The department, after due consideration, would chalk out a detailed action plan to bring improvement in the public transport system, its zonal offices and vehicles plying on the roads in respect of enforcement of the rules and regulations. The department has also been asked to strengthen its enforcement wing as the number of vehicles in the city has gone up manifold,” said Dikshit.

Dikshit said that the new routes would probably touch all important junctions in the city and to ensure the security of passengers,  home guards would be deployed in the vehicles. “The department may also consider deployment of home guards in DTC buses during evening hours at a later stage,” she said.

Dikshit added that a large number of complaints have poured in stating violation of routes, overcrowding, overcharging, denial to ply as per the need of passengers etc in respect of grameen sewa and auto rikshaws. The transport department has been asked to take strict action against them, Dikshit said.

While speaking about the buses with tinted glasses, she said the transport commissioner has been asked to write a letter to special commissioner (traffic police) to take strict action against such buses.