By IANS
New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has asked the Blueline bus operators to maintain self-discipline to curb accidents in the capital, but members of the accident victims’ families said the government is helping bus owners to escape punishment.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Dikshit reviewed the follow-up action for streamlining the traffic management, including operation of Blueline buses and measures for the safety of commuters.
Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf and many senior officials, including Delhi chief secretary, transport commissioner, chairman of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), attended the meeting.
According to a CMO official, Dikshit asked the Blueline operators to adopt a code of conduct and ensure adequate self-discipline to reduce fatal accidents on the roads.
“She directed them to act on their own assurance,” the official said.
The bus operators’ federation, on its part, requested the authorities to look into the matter of having dedicated bus lanes and incessant harassment by the police.
Since January this year, the Blueline buses have killed 98 people and left over 160 others injured.
Meanwhile, Blueline accident victims’ families said that Dikshit’s move for self-regulation for Blueline buses was an invitation to disaster.
“What the CM is saying is like asking criminals to frame laws for themselves,” said S.N. Mishra, who lost his daughter in a Blueline bus accident.
Rajesh Verma, another member of the victims’ families association, said: “Instead of bringing them under the supervision of the DTC and employing stricter penalties against them, the CM is allowing Blueline bus owners to frame regulations for themselves”.