Get out on the roads of Delhi and odds are, you will chance upon at least one low-floor DTC bus stuck due to breakdown, with the accompanying traffic snarl behind it giving commuters a nervous breakdown!
Some 300 DTC buses break down everyday and they cannot be moved by cranes because of the pneumatic and hydraulic control supporting them. Recently, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) wrote to Rajiv Mohan, chairman and managing director of DTC, asking him to make necessary arrangements to reduce turnaround time for these buses. DTC has now decided to form quick response teams (QRT) to clear the site immediately.
Shukla pointed out that these stationary buses cause massive traffic jams on arterial roads. He also requested DTC to train bus staff so they can release hydraulic pressure immediately after such breakdowns so traffic police cranes can remove them.
According to a DTC official, the process of formation of QRTs has already started and they will be in action within the next couple of weeks as summer sets in. Besides, DTC would create a central control room exclusively to handle cases of breakdowns.
Meanwhile, emphasising on reduction in fatal accidents involving DTC buses, Shukla proposed that the Traffic Police’s safety cell conduct a training programme for DTC drivers and conductors.