DTC continues Blueline bloodbath

After the exit of the Blueline, the fashionable, low-floor and cherry and green DTC buses have come up as the new killers on Delhi roads. Till November 15, DTC buses have killed 58 people.

After the exit of the Blueline, the fashionable, low-floor and cherry and green DTC buses have come up as the new killers on Delhi roads. Till November 15, DTC buses have killed 58 people.

HT Image

Though the number is less in comparison with 76 dead during the same period last year, senior traffic police officers said the situation was indeed bad.

They said speed was the main culprit. Most DTC buses are driven at 50-60 kmph, while commercial vehicles are allowed a speed limit of 40 kmph.

What’s more, till November 15, the traffic police also prosecuted four drivers for drunk driving. Delhi traffic police chief Satyendra Garg said, "We have been noticing violations and there have been prosecutions."

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While the buses have factory-fitted speed governors to check speeding, sources said drivers tamper the devices.

He said, "The incentive they (the drivers) get by driving fast and recklessly is to finish their trips quickly and go home. But they do it with impunity and seem to have no regret for causing deaths."

"DTC buses are now being driven the way motorcycles are ridden. We have prosecuted them for over-speeding, rash driving and jumping traffic signals. But the number of prosecutions does not reflect the actual situation which is far worse," said a traffic police inspector, requesting anonymity.

While DTC chairman and managing director Rajeev Verma could not be contacted, Delhi transport minister Ramakant Goswami said, "Police should take action against any violation done by our drivers. I will personally look into the complaints of tampering with speed governors," he said.