However, the transport minister has not made any comment on the issue but it is against the stand of the Delhi government and also against the direction of Delhi High Court, which had passed the order to relocate the bus depot upon public interest litigations filed by environment activists of the city. Narain also suggested the implementation of Euro 6 norms of air pollution in Delhi as it needs just Rs 15,000 per car.
“Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) suggests that the Millennium depot should not be removed as it would hamper introduction of new buses,” said spokesperson of Delhi government.
The suggestion was made by Sunita Narain in the first meeting of Delhi Dialogue Commission on transport chaired by transport minister Gopal Rai and DDC VC Ashish Khetan. CSE pointed out that there was an urgent need for bus depots to strengthen bus services in Delhi, added the spokesperson. It was suggested that DTC should buy 900 buses with standard specification prescribed under JNNURM, Union Ministry of Urban Development and required amendments should be made in the law to do away with the monopoly on bus procurement.
The transport department has also decided to upgrade the transport system of the city on the lines of Bangalore, which is runs an efficient bus service. In his previous 49-day tenure, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on the direction of Delhi High Court, had ordered the relocation of the bus depot, on which, the Delhi Development Authority and Transport Department have already started working. It is pertinent to mention that former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was against the scrapping of the bus depot and argued to retain it but was thwarted by environmentalists through PIL in the court.
Naryan also opposed the 15-year ban on commercial vehicles, another order of Delhi High Court. “It is not a good idea. Age of the car is not the issue but maintenance of the car is. Therefore, focus should be on annual fitness and the removal of the 15-year ban needs to be considered,” she argued. She also put on record the 1998, the Supreme Court direction that the city should expand its bus service to 11,000 buses. “40 per cent of total Delhi people travel by buses, 14 per cent by cars, 20 per cent by two-wheelers 10 per cent by metro,” she informed demanding equity-based integrated transport system in the city. She also raised the issue of malpractices in Lambda test in Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres and demanded action. “We are analysing the data and will soon start action,” said a senior officer of transport department. The other demands include penalty for smoky vehicle, and expedition of work on Western Expressway.
“Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) suggests that the Millennium depot should not be removed as it would hamper introduction of new buses,” said spokesperson of Delhi government.
The suggestion was made by Sunita Narain in the first meeting of Delhi Dialogue Commission on transport chaired by transport minister Gopal Rai and DDC VC Ashish Khetan. CSE pointed out that there was an urgent need for bus depots to strengthen bus services in Delhi, added the spokesperson. It was suggested that DTC should buy 900 buses with standard specification prescribed under JNNURM, Union Ministry of Urban Development and required amendments should be made in the law to do away with the monopoly on bus procurement.
The transport department has also decided to upgrade the transport system of the city on the lines of Bangalore, which is runs an efficient bus service. In his previous 49-day tenure, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on the direction of Delhi High Court, had ordered the relocation of the bus depot, on which, the Delhi Development Authority and Transport Department have already started working. It is pertinent to mention that former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was against the scrapping of the bus depot and argued to retain it but was thwarted by environmentalists through PIL in the court.
Naryan also opposed the 15-year ban on commercial vehicles, another order of Delhi High Court. “It is not a good idea. Age of the car is not the issue but maintenance of the car is. Therefore, focus should be on annual fitness and the removal of the 15-year ban needs to be considered,” she argued. She also put on record the 1998, the Supreme Court direction that the city should expand its bus service to 11,000 buses. “40 per cent of total Delhi people travel by buses, 14 per cent by cars, 20 per cent by two-wheelers 10 per cent by metro,” she informed demanding equity-based integrated transport system in the city. She also raised the issue of malpractices in Lambda test in Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres and demanded action. “We are analysing the data and will soon start action,” said a senior officer of transport department. The other demands include penalty for smoky vehicle, and expedition of work on Western Expressway.