As part of the measures to make public transport system safer for commuters, women in particular, the Delhi Government has decided to increase the number of Delhi Transport Corporation buses plying on the night service from 42 to 85. Besides, it has also decided to deploy home guards on all these night services.
The directions to the effect were issued by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday. She asked the Transport Department to ensure security and safety in the DTC night bus service, keeping in view the recent gang-rape incident in a moving bus.
The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami, Chief Secretary P. K. Tripathi, Transport Commissioner Rajinder Kumar and other senior officers of the Transport Department.
It was decided that the department would chalk out a detailed action plan to improve the public transport system, its zonal offices and vehicles plying on roads in respect of enforcement of the rules and regulations. It would also be strengthening its Enforcement Wing by deploying more personnel as the number of vehicles in the city has gone up manifold.
It was also stated that to begin with, home guards would travel on the night services. At a later stage they would also be put on the buses in the evening.
Ms. Dikshit said a large number of complaints have been received about autorickshaws and Grameen Sewa vehicles pertaining to violation of routes, overcrowding, overcharging and refusal to ply as per the need of passengers. She directed the Transport Department to investigate into it and take stern action, including cancellation of permits, to rein them in.
The Department has also been told to disseminate a telephone number to facilitate the registration of complaints by the passengers.
As for action against buses with tinted glasses, the Transport Commissioner said he would be addressing a letter to Special Commissioner, Traffic Police, to intensify action against such buses as per instructions of the Supreme Court.
