800 additional buses to be deployed during odd-even

NEW DELHI: As odd-even period nears in Delhi, authorities have taken stringent measures so as to not let citizens face any difficulty. With rise in air pollution during winters, officials have come up with numerous schemes to curb the issue, odd-even being one of them. Hence, extra 2,000 CNG buses have been hired by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) that will run during the oddeven tenure. Interestingly, the number is 800 more than last year. “Last year, about 1,200 buses ran on the roads of Delhi during odd-even, this time it is 2,000, as we have roped in private contractors,” said a DTC official, who didn’t want to be named.

The buses will run on 83 routes that have been planned by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) or any other pollution authority. “Tender has already been flowed and any bus operator can contact the regional manager,” said the official. Meanwhile, authorities have given private contractors a time limit till November 1, to get approval from pollution board so that the buses can run on the road.

According to the DTC official, this is also the first time that AC buses will be running during odd-even. Also, there are going to be three types of buses that will be running on the road that goes by the category of standard, which is a 40 seater bus and midi buses that includes both 30 and 25 seaters each.

“Special routes have been designed for these buses,” said the official. Other than that 5,000 marshals have been hired that will also stay inside the bus for the safety and security of passengers, especially women travelers.