Remove buses from Millennium Depot by Feb 4, Delhi govt told

DDA to amend 2021 Master Plan if green court concludes the depot is not on a river bed

The Supreme Court ruled out continuation of the Millennium Bus Depot and ordered the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to remove the cluster buses parked there by February 4.

Last year, the apex court gave a year’s time for DTC to shift the bus shelter near the Yamuna bank. (Sushil Kumar/HT File)

A bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud, however, said Delhi Development Authority (DDA) should amend the 2021 Master Plan if the National Green Tribunal comes to the conclusion that the depot is not situated on the river bed.

“On perusal of the factual position the issue whether the DTC’s Millennium Bus Depot is located in Yamuna river bed or flood plains is pending for consideration before the NGT. As and when the matter is adjudicated the master plan should be amended or altered, if it is permissible,” the bench ordered. “Subject to such alteration the depot shall not be used for any other purpose.”

“If the NGT finds that it is river bed then it is the end of the matter, but if it is flood plain then the master plan has to be amended,” it told the counsel appearing for the parties. As per the masterplan no construction is allowed on river beds.

DTC informed the bench it had already handed over the possession of the depot to the state transport department.

The 50-acre millennium depot was built on the river bank initially as a temporary depot during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, with a parking space for around 1,000 buses along with various facilities, including five workshop-cum-scanning centres, a logistics centre and two CNG-filling stations.

While granting time to DTC, the SC had noted demolition of the structure would not be appropriate.