Disabled persons can now travel on DTC’s Air-Conditioned and Cluster (orange) buses free of cost with the Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday giving its nod for the scheme. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Delhi Secretariat.
With this decision, Delhi has become the first Capital where disabled people are to get free ride on the Government-run buses.
Currently DTC provides facility of free traveling on its buses to persons with vision impairment. Facility of concession to the escort is given to those who have not less than 100 per cent blindness.
The Delhi Government has stated that out of the 6055 buses (4555 DTC & 1500 Cluster), 1275 are AC buses. Additionally, the number of AC buses is going to increase substantially in the near future.
Also, the Cabinet okayed a proposal for strengthening the Enforcement Wing of the Transport Department. Approval was also given for deploying about 400 ex- servicemen against the vacant posts of foot constable on a contractual basis for a period of six months or till the posts are filled on a regular basis.
Ex-servicemen will be deployed on the roads during the 15- day second phase of the odd-even scheme starting from April 15, the official said.
“The number of existing posts of foot constables is 419 and that of head constables is 214. Of these, only 18 posts of foot constable and 75 posts of head constable are filled. Rest of the posts is vacant for more than four years now,” the official added.
Currently, the Transport Department has hired 29-vehicles for field teams. These 29 vehicles are about six-year-old and would require replacement in 1-2 years. As per the current sanctioned strength of Enforcement Branch about 160 teams could be deployed simultaneously. Considering the other senior officials and the 160 enforcement teams, the Department requires about 175 vehicles. Therefore the Cabinet approved to permanently strengthen the Transport Department with procurement of 175 field vehicles or long term hiring of these vehicles.