In a bid to make the ambitious odd-even scheme successful in the city, the Delhi Government is planning to ensure that the public transport system runs as smoothly as possible. Apart from inducting 4,000-5,000 additional buses, the Government is also planning to ensure strict compliance of lane driving by buses, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“Bus lanes are being marked across Delhi in more than 100-feet wide roads. Out of 1,200-kilometre road length, bus lanes have been marked in over 400 kilometres. Wherever bus lanes have been marked, buses will have to ply on those lanes. If any bus moves out of its lane, it will be heavily penalised,” said Kejriwal.
He added that while buses cannot move in other lanes, private vehicles will be allowed to ply on the bus lanes. “However, private vehicles, if found parked on designated bus lanes being marked across the city, will attract penalty,” said Kejriwal, while announcing the blueprint of the even-odd scheme at his residence.
“About 4,000 to 5,000 additional buses will be put on the road, which include school buses and chartered buses, to meet the demand. Metro will run on its peak frequency. 10,000 new permits have been issued for auto-rickshaws. And I hope many of them will start running before January 1. PoochO app is also launched using which you can call an auto to your residence. Car-pool app will also be launched in a couple of days,” he said.
The Government had earlier announced induction of 6,000 additional buses to the existing fleet but the figure has been revised to 4,000-5,000. “Registration of additional buses is going on and 3,000 to 4,000 buses are likely to be registered. We are still encouraging people and it may touch the 5,000 mark,” Kejriwal said.
Appealing to Delhiites to go for car-pooling, Kejriwal said that public transport system won’t be able to take the load of all the people who would give up their cars. “So, I urge you to go for car-pooling with your friends and colleagues. That is a more practical solution,” he said.