Phase out Bluelines soon: court
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the state Transport Department to phase out the killer Blueline fleet at the earliest for the safety and security of the public, reports Harish V Nair.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the state Transport Department to phase out the killer Blueline fleet at the earliest for the safety and security of the public.
"These vehicles have become a perpetual menace. We would like to know the time limit for the withdrawal of the fleet from the city,” said the court. The Government counsel said the Transport Department was also of this view but was yet to decide on a time frame. The department submitted that the permits of buses, which will expire, shall not be renewed.
It said the government will invite an expression of interest from companies and cooperatives with capacity to operate at least 100 buses for grant of stage-carriage permits on completely and partially vacant bus routes.
Old wine in new bottle
The Transport Department said the existing permit holders of Blueline buses should be considered for permits if they reorganised themselves into a cooperative society or company.
But lawyer AJ Bhambani, who was assisting the court, strongly opposed this, saying it would be like old wine in new bottle. “Where is the question of getting a professionally managed and well organised fleet if the same permit holders are considered once again?” he asked.
Call-centre vehicles under scrutiny
The court also raised concern over the increasing number of accidents caused by call-centre vehicles.
"It is another menace that has to be tamed after we reign in the Bluelines,” the High Court observed.