New Delhi, (IANS) Concerned over the never-ending series of fatal accidents involving Blueline buses, the Delhi government Monday decided to purchase 4,500 fully furnished CNG buses.
Days after telling people and media that she should not be put under pressure over Blueline accidents, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said her government was committed to bring modern buses to overcome difficulties faced by the commuters.
Dikshit said a cabinet meeting Monday decided to procure 4,500 buses so as to achieve the level of 6,000 buses for the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) by March 31, 2009.
“We are fully aware of the need for new buses and would continue to accelerate the process of procurement in public interest,” she said.
The chief minister said the government would acquire nearly 1,000 standard CNG buses, 1,000 semi-low-floor buses, 1,500 low-floor non-AC buses and 1,000 low-floor AC buses.
An amount of Rs.17.96 billion has been earmarked for the purpose.
Apart from this, the state cabinet also sanctioned an amount of Rs.2.78 billion for procurement of land for 21 additional DTC bus depots and construction of 29 more depot buildings.
“We hope this initiative would bring desired improvement in the public transport system in Delhi,” the chief minister said.
Dikshit has been facing flak over the fatal accidents involving privately operated Blueline buses and the government’s failure to tame them in spite of tall promises.
The errant Blueline buses have killed 96 people this year so far and injured over 160 others.
The cabinet decision came on a day when nearly 1,000 Blueline buses remained off the roads as drivers of the fleet called for an indefinite strike, protesting the strict action taken by the government and the police against them for traffic violations.