Jung is opposing dedicated bus lanes, claims govt

Adding a new episode to the ongoing tussle with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, the Delhi government on Wednesday went public over his alleged refusal to create dedicated bus lanes on city roads.

In a press statement, the Delhi government slammed Jung for declining to approve the proposal for dedicated bus lanes and imposition of a fine of Rs 2,000 to the violators of this rule, despite a court ruling.

“It is unfortunate that the LG of Delhi has declined approval to the proposal seeking enforcement of bus lanes and lane driving, stating that it is ambiguous,” said the statement.
The Delhi government and Jung have been at loggerheads earlier over transfer of officials, allotment of land for Delhi government schools and matters related to law and order and Delhi Police, which reports to Raj Niwas.

The statement said the proposal for the dedicated bus lane was prepared by the Transport Department on the request of the Delhi Traffic Police.

Its features included creation of dedicated bus lanes, direction for buses to ply in these lanes and removal of obstructions, including parked vehicles, from these lanes.

It was proposed that any violation of these would attract a fine of Rs 2,000. The dedicated bus lanes were proposed by traffic police to ensure that the public transport buses moved faster, encouraging more people to give up private vehicles.

Jungs office however clarified that he has not rejected the proposals but sought clarifications from the elected government, such as consultation with Public Works Department as suggested by the  transport commissioner, since it is the road-owning agency.

The LG also suggested getting the notification duly vetted by the Law Department and resubmitting the proposal to his office,  said a Raj Niwas statement.