As many as 20 DTC bus drivers were suspended for being absent from duty without any prior intimation to the authorities during a surprise visit by the Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai at Rajghat bus depot on Sunday.
With a fleet of 170 buses, it was found that due to absence of many drivers, several buses were not able to leave the depot causing much inconvenience to the commuters.
During the inspection, the Minister found that details of 57 DTC buses were not available online. Further, records and duty registers revealed that 20 regular drivers whose duties were booked for the day had not reported for duty. The drivers had not given any intimation, or reason, to the authorities concerned for their unauthorised absence from duty, said a Transport Department official.
The official said that due to several reasons, including unauthorised absence of drivers, the number of buses leaving the depot in the evening shift is frequently depleting than the total strength of 170. The Minister observed that only 100 buses had left the depot while 57 buses were found to be stationed inside as some drivers were absent.
Saying that the Government was committed to provide safe, comfortable and uninterrupted public transport services to the people, Rai warned that strict action would be taken against the drivers for their unauthorised absence from duty.