NGT slams Delhi govt over destination buses

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday slammed the Delhi government for delaying the filing of a status report on the introduction of destination buses in the city.

“You have neither filed any status report, nor said anything on the destination buses. You had to give us everything, why didn’t you do it? Do it at the earliest,” the bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The Delhi government informed the NGT that 20 buses were introduced from May 1, originating from faroff places like Dwarka and Janakpuri. The tribunal directed the AAP government and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to find ways to increase the fleet of point-to- point buses.

The counsel for the Delhi government also urged the bench to stop the service on weekends as most of the offices are closed, leading to buses plying empty.

Earlier, the green panel had directed the authorities to ensure that at least four buses each started on an experimental basis from far-off areas like Dwarka, Rohini, Janakpuri, Badarpur border and Patparganj and terminate at places like CGO complex, Nehru Place and Shastri Bhawan near Central Secretariat. It had said the services would start from spots where it was convenient for the public at large.

It had also sought a detailed status report with regard to the impact of these buses on the reduction of pollution in the city and directed authorities not to stop the service unless directed by the tribunal.