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Buses come to grinding halt
THOUSANDS OF commuters, particularly in Noida and Greater Noida, faced great inconvenience as the deadlock between the UP and Delhi governments derailed inter-State bus service in each other?s territory.
THOUSANDS OF commuters, particularly in Noida and Greater Noida, faced great inconvenience as the deadlock between the UP and Delhi governments derailed inter-State bus service in each other’s territory.
After the Delhi Government barred UP State Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses from operating in its area, the State Government retaliated today by ‘seizing’ over 123 DTC buses in different parts of the State.
UPSRTC officials impounded DTC buses for the ‘crime’ of operating in UP without permit and non-payment of taxes.
With the bus war escalating, Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf said in Delhi on Friday that he had invited UPSRTC officials to solve the issue while Naresh Agarwal expressed his ignorance about any such move.
Agarwal regretted the inconvenience caused to commuters but told Hindustan Times that the unfair and rigid stand of the Delhi Government was responsible for the impasse.
After seeking prior appointment, Agarwal had gone to Delhi on Thursday to meet Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit to find an amicable solution to the problem but she later refused to meet the UP Transport Minister. After Agarwal was told that Dixit had asked him to talk to her officers, the minister ruled out the possibility of any further discussion with the Delhi Government.
He charged the Shiela Government with arrogance and accused his Delhi counterpart of being ‘childish and immature’. Soon after his return from Delhi on Thursday, a furious Agarwal retaliated and ordered blanket ban on plying of DTC buses in the State.
However, the commuters may have to bear the brunt of inter-State confrontation for some more time as Naresh has declared that he would discuss the issue either with the Prime Minister or the Union Transport Minister.
