New Delhi: October 12, 2007- (IR Summary)- The Delhi government today has submitted to the High Court that it might not be able to phase out Blueline Buses by 15 November, hence requires more time up to December to phase out the human killers to find some alternative.

The Delhi Govt. has filed a submission of 13-page requesting the Hon.’ble High Court to consider extending Blueline Bus permits beyond December to enable them to find out a proper alternative.

A division bench of Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Reva Khetrapal declared that Principal Secretary (Transport) D M Spolia’s report was nothing more than “elegant use of English” and asked for objective answers in simple English.

After a Blueline bus ran over seven persons in Badarpur last week, the court had sought answers to two questions: Could the government formulate a phase-out policy for the Blueline service within four weeks? Why should two extensions of four months each permitted by the court earlier now not be given?

In answer to the first, the report says: “All measures are being taken to expedite the scheme for phasing out Blueline buses and introduction of corporate and co-operative entities for management of private stage carriage buses.” It says the Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit System (DIMTS) is already on the job.

Two pages on, the government admits it is clueless on an alternative.
Explaining why it is seeking extension of Blueline permits, which expire in December, Spolia’s report states: “The high court itself once observed about the lack of an alternative, among other reasons, due to supply constraints of manufacturers.”

It says Blueline buses could indeed continue on Delhi roads provided they follow any “strict guidelines” the court imposes. “Extension shall be granted only to such permit holders who meet the conditions and criteria specified by this court.”

Government counsel Mukta Gupta told Newsline, “Once the Bluelines are off the scene, what do we do? So far we are using interstate DTC buses in place of the 300 buses impounded. Look at the practical side.”

“We will wait for a policy to be finalised. If the government doesn’t come up with an alternative on November 15, we’ll have to consider Bluelines for the time being.”

Let the people watch and see how the Delhi Govt tackles the issue and protect innocent lives on the road?