NGT slams govt over status report on destination buses

The National Green Tribunal on Monday lashed out at the Delhi government for delaying the filing of a status report on the introduction of destination buses in the national Capital.

A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the Aam Aadmi Party government and Delhi Transport Corporation to sit together and find ways to increase the fleet of point-to-point buses.

"You have neither filed any status report, nor said anything on the destination buses. You had to give us everything, why didn't you do it? Do it at the earliest," the Bench, also comprising Justice R S Rathore, said.

The counsel for the Delhi government informed the NGT that currently 20 buses have been introduced from May 1 originating from far-off places like Dwarka and Janakpuri.

He also urged the Bench to stop the service on weekends as most of the offices are closed, leading to empty buses plying.

Earlier, the green panel had directed the authorities to ensure that at least four buses each should start on an experimental basis from far-off areas like Dwarka, Rohini, Janakpuri, Badarpur Border and Patparganj and terminate at places like CGO Complex, Nehru Place and Shastri Bhawan near Central Secretariat.

It had also sought a detailed status report with regard to the impact of these buses on reduction in pollution in the city and directed the authorities not to stop this service unless directed by the tribunal.

The apex environment watchdog had said the primary objective behind introduction of this service is to reduce the vehicular load including cars and two-wheelers on the roads.

The NGT had said these services will start from spots where it is convenient for the public at large.