Bluelines with permits can ply: High Court

The Delhi High Court has allowed those Blueline buses whose permits did not expire by Monday to ply till the court decides on petitions challenging the phase-out.

The Delhi High Court has allowed those Blueline buses whose permits did not expire by Monday to ply till the court decides on petitions challenging the phase-out.

HT Image

Around 800 buses were set to go off road from Monday as per the phase-out roadmap.

However, a division bench headed by Justice AK Sikri said Blueline buses that have valid licenses to ply beyond January 31 cannot be asked to go off road.

The court, however, has not stopped the government from pulling out buses whose permits lapsed on January 31 and said their permits need not be renewed.

The court was acting on a fresh application filed by Blueline bus operators seeking a stay on the phase-out of 800 buses, till the court pronounced the judgment on their petition challenging the same.

Standing Counsel for the Delhi Government, Najmi Waziri, assured the court that the government will not be taking any action against buses holding permits, till the court decides on the issue.

Two bus operators had moved the HC seeking a stay on Delhi government's notification, asking them (operators) not to ply buses after January 31.

Earlier, the court had reserved its order on the Delhi government's plea not to permit Blueline buses to return to the roads.

Waziri said public safety was the "paramount objective" and the government now has enough number of DTC buses to meet the requirement.