HC gives govt 3 months to augment buses fleet

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) The Delhi High Court asked the government today to augment the fleet of buses within three months.

A division bench comprising Justice Mukul Mudgal and Reva Khetrapal observed that the deadline could not be extended more than twice, if the need arose.

Although the blueline buses will have to be replaced by 2012, the court showed urgency over how to help commuters left stranded on the road. The court wanted the gaps to be plugged quickly. The depleted strength of the fleet needed to be replenished within three months, the bench added.

However, life of the commuters can't be put as premium, the judges said. So, a bus found to be running faster than 40 kms an hour and tampering with the speed governors would have its permit cancelled, the order reads. It is not clear if it included the private call centre cabs. Though the judges had observed concern over a spate of accidents by the private cabs.

Present in the court, the DCP (traffic) expressed his compliance. As for the alarming rise of polluting diesel vehicles in the capital, court said that the spirit behind the Supreme Court ushering CNG in the capital would have to be respected.

UNI