New Delhi: Bluelines to keep off road this weekend

New Delhi, July 20: Launching a crackdown on the 'killer' blueline buses, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said the buses will be kept off the roads this Saturday and Sunday so that the operators and drivers could rectify their shortcomings and imbibe a sense of discipline.

''The buses would only be allowed to ply on roads after a thorough inspection by the Transport Authority,'' said Ms Dikshit, emerging out of a high level meeting with officials.

Expressing anguish over the series of deaths due to rash driving of Blueline Buses, Ms Dikshit said her Government was compelled to take such a decision because there was no let up in irresponsible behaviour of the drivers and the operators.

''The Government can not remain a mute spectator,'' she said.

She said there had been no improvement despite a number of warnings. "The Government's first and foremost responsibility was to provide safety to passengers and pedestrians."

She also asked the Delhi Police to immediately initiate a 'Road Safety Campaign' through Print and Electronic Media.

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting attended by state Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf, Chief Secretary Ramesh Narayanswami, Principal Secretary (Home) Shamsher Sherif, Special Commissioner, Delhi Police Y S Dadwal, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police Qamar Ahmed, Transport Commissioner R. Chandramohan, CMD, DTC Anshu Prakash and other senior officers.

Another high level Meeting would be convened on Wednesday to take stock of the situation.

The Chief Minister has asked the Transport Commissioner and DTC to ensure sufficient number of buses on the two days, when the bluelines will not ply.

''The passengers will have ample number of buses at their disposal as school buses operated by the DTC would be deployed. It will not be a problem as schools do not function during the weekend,'' Ms Dikshit pointed out.

She directed officers of the Transport Department to mark a visible sign on those Blueline Buses which are found absolutely fit with regard to safety measures. ''This would go a long way in removing fear and terror of the passengers,'' she felt.

She said the conductors of DTC and Blue Line Buses should be provided an electric bell to send a message to Bus driver for stopping and restarting bus. This would help in overcoming accidents due to falling from the buses, she added.

The Chief Minister said CCTV cameras on more Red Light Crossings would help in ensuring action against violating Blue Line buses.

''The SDMs are also being instructed to conduct surprise checks. The Government would also try to depute Home Guards at important bus stops to ensure passengers' safety,'' she stressed.

Mr Ahmed, Jt. Commissioner Traffic Police said a system of making announcements regarding pedestrian safety through loud speakers has been initiated at nine major crossings. ''It will be replicated at another 37 crossings very soon,'' he added.

UNI