Govt’s cluster scheme flops due to lack of buses

Delhi’s bus cluster scheme — a joint venture between Delhi government and private operators — has failed to gather momentum.

Delhi’s bus cluster scheme — a joint venture between Delhi government and private operators — has failed to gather momentum.

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Thanks to the bus manufacturer’s inability to supply buses, only a few orange buses are seen plying on roads than what the government had promised.

Sources said there are only 320 buses in operation under five clusters in comparison to the required 1,000. The government had promised more than 500 buses by the end of 2012, but the number is hardly going up.

The government has blamed the manufacturer for the delay. “Only 18 buses are plying in cluster 2, but the number should be at least 150. The bus operator says Tata Motors has failed to keep its commitment,” said a transport department official.

Sources said after a technical fault was detected in one of the cluster 2 buses on October 16, the company stopped supplying buses. The fault in the wiring of the bus caused a minor fire.

“The bus depot is ready; drivers and conductors have been hired and trained. We are just waiting for the buses,” a transport department official added.