4,000 additional buses for smooth flow of traffic plan in Delhi

Delhiites can avail as many as 4,000 additional buses from January 1 in the wake of restricted private vehicle movement.

These will be pressed into service by the state government, as part of its efforts to strengthen the public transport, beginning 2016, when the odd-even scheme for plying of cars and bikes comes into force. The Delhi government has tied up with the Delhi Contract Bus Association (DCBA), an apex body of contract carriage and tourist bus operators in Delhi.

"We had a meeting with the DCBA members following which details have been prepared. Around 4,000 extra buses will be on the roads between January 1-15 and they will be all CNG buses. To chalk out the details of the proposal, a committee has been formed," Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday. These buses will run through Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Rai further said that on Thursday, Delhi government will hold a meeting with the heads of the schools in the national Capital to see if school buses can also be roped into the mission. The minister also appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the government in its efforts to decongest the roads and combat pollution.

The odd-even scheme for plying of private vehicles in the city will be in force from 8 am-8 pm from January 1 for an initial period of 15 days and there will be no restrictions on vehicular movement on Sundays. Meantime, PWD Minister Satyendar Jain has called a meeting with 27 SDMs, tehsildars, MCD, DDA and DPCC on Thursday, pertaining to pollution arising out of open burning and construction. Jain, who has also been appointed as a nodal minister for fighting pollution, will review the action taken against those involved in garbage burning and dust pollution in the city.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will also hold a separate review meeting with all his Cabinet ministers, officials from transport department, environment department, PWD and revenue department. The official said as per NGT order, burning of waste in the open is banned in the national Capital and there is a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone who is caught burning dry leaves, plastic, rubber or any other waste material in NCR. Besides, there is also a fine of Rs 50,000 for flouting air pollution norms and causing dust pollution in the city.