Delhi Govt to HC: Blueline buses to be phased out

The Delhi Govt informs HC that it will place before it the scheme for phasing out Blueline buses from the city roads by November 15.

The Delhi government on Thursday informed the High Court that it will place before it the scheme for phasing out Blueline buses from the city roads by November 15.

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Appearing for the city government, Counsel Mukta Gupta admitted before the bench of Justices Mukul Mudgal and Reva Khetrapal that about 826 buses were running with tempered speed governors between the period from January 1 to October 9 this year.

She also admitted that the government has challaned nine buses for over-speeding and 25 drivers were prosecuted for drunken driving.

To this submission, the bench expressed its shock and said, "It means almost all the buses.... What kind of certificates are issued by you to them?"

The bench also made it clear that any bus involved in fatal accident or grievous injury will not be released without the permission of this court.

"This is sufficient warning for them.....Now we will pinch the bus owners also," the court observed and said the owner of the bus has to pay heavy penalty before getting his bus, involved in fatal accident, released from the court.

Following Sunday's Blueline bus accident at Badarpur in which seven persons were killed and more than ten injured, the court took tough stand and sought the Delhi government to phase out the Blueline buses as early as possible.