The Delhi Cabinet has decided to send back the proposal of enforcing ‘bus lane’ discipline in the city to the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung with minor amendments. After implementation the public buses including the buses of state owned Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will be fined Rs 2,000 per violation if they deviate from the bus lane.
“The buses including DTC buses will be fined Rs 2,000 for violating bus lane discipline. As per the proposed rule all the busses will have to ply in bus lanes reserved for buses and anybody obstructing ‘bus lane’ either by parking his vehicle or by street vendors (rehri – patri),” said spokesperson of Delhi government.
He further informed that the suggestions of the LG have been incorporated and some “minor” amendments were made in the proposal.
“Consultations were also done with concerned departments like Public Works Department, Law and Transport,” he added. The new system is being made in compliance with an order of the Supreme Court to ensure smooth plying of buses on the roads and make the carriageway free from obstruction.
“The fine in the case of DTC buses will be slapped on drivers of the bus,” he informed. If implemented effectively the new rule will bring a respite for bus commuters who avoid buses for traffic jams. This rule will also help us to free the bus lanes from encroachments by street vendors who cause huge traffic jams in various areas of the city,” said a senior officer of the Delhi government.
The issue of implementing ‘bus lane’ discipline has been a matter of spat between the Chief Minister’s Office and the LG Office in the past as the former officially accused the later of aborting the proposal.
A statement issued by the Delhi government on March 2 said that the Delhi government “informs the residents of Delhi with regret that the LG has declined to approve the proposal for dedicated bus lanes on Delhi’s roads and imposition of a fine of Rs 2,000 for violators of the rule,” the LG, however, countered the statement by saying that “only clarifications were sought from the elected government”.