Bluelines back, in signature form: cyclist mowed down
Even as the Delhi Govt fumbles with different plans to phase out Blueline buses, the killer fleet is killing Delhiites every second day, reports Vijaita Singh and Sidhartha Roy.
Even as the Delhi Government fumbles with different plans to phase out Blueline buses, the killer fleet is killing or maiming Delhiites every second day. The charade of Bluelines being given fitness certificates by the government, the cleansing ritual that was supposed to turn Bluelines safer overnight, has achieved nothing apart from adding to the misery of commuters.
On Friday, in yet another incident, a speeding Blueline bus near the Delhi Gate area reportedly mowed down a 27-year-old cyclist in the evening. The driver of the bus has been arrested. The victim Dayaram, a resident of Preet Vihar was on his way home when the incident took place. He was working for a publishing house in Paharganj.
Dayaram was reportedly hit from behind near Delhi Gate by a bus plying on the route 729- from Kapashera to ISBT, Kasmere Gate, the police said. The victim was critically injured after he was crushed under the rear wheels of the bus. He succumbed to his injuries at the LNJP hospital later in the evening. The victim was married and has two children.
The driver Jile Singh told the police that it was not his fault that the cyclist came in his way all of a sudden. He has been booked for rash and negligent driving at the Daryaganj police station. Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf could not be contacted for comments despite repeated attempts.
Meanwhile, the condition on roads improved slightly on Friday as more buses were plying. Though buses were now available, they were all running packed in the morning and evening peak hours. On Friday, 249 out of 376 Blueline buses were declared fit and on Saturday, 2105 Bluelines would hit the road. As schools and many officers are closed on Saturday, there should be less shortage of buses.