The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to run buses of different sizes since most of its air-conditioned buses are plying empty on Delhi roads. The tribunal has also directed to impose compensation (apart from the penalty under violation of Acts) and the amount may be determined by it on the principle of ‘polluter pays’ for causing and abating pollution in the national Capital.
The Tribunal’s order followed the reports that DTC AC buses normally remain empty even during the peak hours. “It is common knowledge that DTC AC buses are run for long part of the day but without passengers. Thus, DTC should run buses of different capacities and sizes at different timings and on different routes. All such buses would be driven on CNG fuel only,” said Justice Swatanter Kumar in an order related to pollution in the national Capital.
Currently, the DTC has over 625 AC buses in its fleet.
According to the order, “The DTC should ensure that its buses do not cause congestion. This transport system should be of greater utility to the public and distinct incentives should be provided to the general public to encourage the use of public transport. Every DTC bus is subjected to monthly mechanical check-up and bimonthly PUC test.”
Notably, a report by the Urban Development Ministry at the Centre has found that the availability of public transport (buses and Metro) in Delhi per 1,000 people is a shocking 0.504. Worse, the average waiting time for all 517 DTC bus routes is 70 minutes, probably because of the less frequent bus trips in sparsely populated undeveloped areas. Out of total 6,455 buses in Delhi, only 2,202 (i.e. 34%) are according to urban bus specifications, says the report. Despite a spiraling population and road network, it has 5,100 buses - owned and operated by DTC - plying on 517 routes.
The average waiting time for public transport users, as calculated from the scheduled headways (measurement of the distance or time between vehicles in a transit system) of DTC bus routes is 70 minutes, says the report, explaining that the waiting time is high because it takes into account the headways of all routes, including those which serve sparsely populated undeveloped areas with less frequent bus services. The total route length of all the 657 routes registered with State Transport Authority is 16,200 km, including suburban and overlapping routes. However, the suburban routes are very less and have a negligible contribution to the overall route length, notes the report.
The tribunal has also directed that those who violate its directions besides being liable for different actions that may be taken against them by the corporation or appropriate authority under the law in force would also be liable to pay compensation and the amounts may be determined by the tribunal on the principle of “polluter pays” for causing and or abating pollution in NCR Delhi.