Delhi govt to phase out Blueline buses by Nov 15

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Government on Thursday informed the High Court that it will place before it the scheme for phasing out Blue Line buses from the city roads by November 15.

Appearing for the city Government, Counsel Mukta Gupta admitted before the bench of Justices Mukul Mudgal and Reva Khetrapal that about 826 buses were running with tempered speed governors between the period from January 1 to October 9 this year.

She also admitted that the Government has challenged nine buses for over-speeding and 25 drivers were prosecuted for drunken driving.

To this submission, the bench expressed its shock and said, "It means almost all the buses. What kind of certificates are issued by you to them?"

The bench also made it clear that any bus involved in fatal accident or grievous injury will not be released without the permission of this court.

"This is sufficient warning for them, now we will pinch the bus owners also," the court observed and said the owner of the bus has to pay heavy penalty before getting his bus, involved in fatal accident, released from the court.

Following Sunday's Blue Line bus accident at Badarpur in which seven persons were killed and more than ten  injured, the court took tough stand and sought the Delhi Government to phase out the Blue Line buses as early as possible.