Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Thursday directed an enquiry to be conducted by the Special Commissioner of Transport following an accident of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus which killed a woman and left 23 injured.
The report is to be submitted within seven days and may include the reasons for such incidents as well as measures required to prevent future occurrences. "The safety of our commuters is of utmost priority. We are committed to identifying the root causes of these accidents and implementing effective solutions to ensure such incidents do not happen again. Immediate action will be taken based on the findings of the enquiry. Lives getting lost either due to mechanical failure or negligence of drivers cannot be condoned,” Gahlot stated.
The order for the enquiry follows a tragic incident on July 22, 2024, where a 45-year-old woman was killed and several others injured when a DTC electric bus collided with a metro pillar in the Punjabi Bagh area. The sudden braking of the bus also caused an auto rickshaw to collide with it from behind, resulting in injuries to its occupants.
The Delhi government is also considering procuring driving simulators for driver training, implementing an Aadhaar-based attendance system for drivers, and conducting breathalyzer tests before the start of duty in light of such accidents.
Additionally, drivers will be allowed to work with only one concessionaire. The Transport Department will also engage NGOs to provide proper training and sensitization for drivers.