In an attempt to relieve scores of frequent commuters who struggle to shuttle between Central Delhi and Ghaziabad, including Vaishali, Vasundhara and Indirapuram, the Delhi Government said that it is ready to ply DTC buses in the suburbs.
The region faces acute shortage of safe and comfortable public transport. The Government submitted before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that if the Uttar Pradesh Government sends a formal proposal asking for the same, the Government will consider. The Government's response came on a PIl seeking plying of buses in the region.
Noting that there is lack of public transport in Ghaziabad district, including residential areas of Indirapuram, Kaushambi, Vaishali and adjoining townships, the PIl alleged that there has been constant effort to get the problem sorted, but, none of the two State Governments have initiated a step towards it.
"Stretches near NH-24, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Vaishali and nearby colonies, lack any mode of public transport. There are no buses and commuters are left to rely on autorickshaws, which burn a hole in commuters' pockets. There is a need to start buses on these routes as soon as possible," said TV George, counsel for petitioner Mohan Singh, President of Residents' Welfare Association in Vaishali Sector 1.
The petition, before the division bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, said, "Under Section 88 of the Motor Vehicles Act, a State Government can grant permissions within its boundaries. Since this route falls in both the States, hence no solution has been found out, leaving the commuters to put up with it."
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the UP Government told the court that there are buses already plying in Noida and parts of Ghaziabad. Dismissing this argument, the bench said, "It is an inter-State service that you are talking about. There is no city service as of now."
The Delhi Government, however, took a different stand. The counsel for the national Capital said that the Government is ready to consider the option of providing buses for better connectivity of the region on the condition that the UP Government sends a requisition to them regarding the same.
The court also noted that there is no such provision under law in which one State can decide for the other. Since the matter involved two States, the court asked the Secretaries of both Delhi and UP to sit together and find a solution, adding that it will pass a detailed order soon.