NGT Issues Notices to DTC, Tata Motors, and Ashok Leyland

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said, "Unfortunately, we also live in Delhi. Your huge buses ply empty for at least five hours a day. Have you rationalised on this aspect? It is shocking that nobody listens in DTC. Your buses are more than overcrowded. We are thinking about afternoon when most of your AC buses, which have a capacity of 60, are empty. After 9:30 PM most of your buses which go to airport have only one or two passengers. You are wasting government revenue, creating traffic chaos and causing environmental pollution."

In response to the notice, DTC's MD told the tribunal bench that rationalisation and assessment of bus routes was an ongoing process.

In return, NGT suggested that small size buses be used during lean traffic period. The Tribunal added, "We are not asking you to stop the bus service rather you should change the size of bus. Do you know the cost of running these buses? How many buses have you tested for noise? What do you test the buses for? Have you ever seen a single bus which does not make horrible noise. Their noise is annoying. If anyone is behind that bus he will get mad within no time."

As far as the maintenance of the buses is concerned, the green bench clarified that "there can be no hanging bumpers and rubber strips in your buses. Ensure physical inspection through your senior officers. If your message does not reach the driver and conductor then there is no point in the inspection."

The Tribunal also directed DTC to carry out a study to bring base line data, rationalisation of bus routes, and details about maintenance of DTC buses "which is not farce". "We don't want great thesis. Give us a specific reply," it said.

Moving on to the design of the buses, the bench said, "Why can't you think about what designs can protect against accidents? In a DTC bus, the driver should be at the lowest level so that if he bangs anywhere, he is the target first and not the passengers."

The tribunal has also instructed DTC to ensure that its buses go through a mechanical check-up once every month and is checked for pollution under control (PUC) certificate at least twice a month.

(With inputs from PTI)