Killer Bluelines: Law should be made stringentBy : Md Mudassir Alam
BLUELINE BUSES, COMMONLY referred as ‘lifeline of Delhi’, have once again created horror in the minds of Delhiites. Two days back a Blueline bus crushed an 11-year-old boy and damaged seven other vehicles at a traffic signal in Rajouri Garden area. However, the driver Sukhiwinder Singh has been arrested under Section 304 A of the India Penal Code for causing death due to negligence. Most importantly, accused Sukhwinder will be released on bail as this offence is bailable and maximum punishment is jail for only two years.
In fact, the unfortunate incident is nothing new for us; often we come across news of such incidents in Delhi. According to the records, Blueline buses are found responsible for most of the fatal accidents taking place on Delhi roads. In the year 2006, Blueline buses were involved in around 100 fatal accidents. Most of the time victims don’t get justice in the form of compensation and the accused gets bail within few weeks by taking advantage of the absence of stringent laws.
Buses are the principle mode of commuting for middle and lower class residing in the national capital. As Delhi is inhabited mostly by people of these classes, so it is the prime duty of Delhi Government to assure a safe commute for them. The fact is that common people of Delhi are facing many transport related problems. Travelling in Blueline buses is nothing less than a nightmare. Usually the buses remain jam-packed and you cannot even move your feet. Most of the Blueline buses plying in the national capital are in bad condition and their seats are torn and tattered. In addition, the drivers as well as the conductors of Blueline buses are known for their rude behaviour. If you are travelling in a bus of 534 or 507 or 34 route, there are maximum chances of pick-pocketing and losing your mobile and it’s true that the drivers and conductors also remain involved in such acts. Apart from that, the traffic police of Delhi are not honest. They leave the accused drivers and conductors by taking a small amount of one or two hundred rupees. On the other hand, Delhi Government has provided only few DTC buses, that’s why people are compelled to travel in the Blueline buses that are not safe at all. The big question here is, who is responsible for such horrible incidents or rash driving and bribing? From my point drivers alone are not culprits. Traffic officials of Delhi and Delhi Government are equally responsible.
It’s a harsh truth that Delhi Government is doing nothing in this direction. Whenever such unfortunate incidents happen, the concerned minister comes and makes false promises and announces some compensation for the victims. This time too, following the accident at Raja Garden Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf said, "We will tighten the system and ensure the buses comply with all the rules and regulations before fitness certificates are given." He also mentioned, “We launch (traffic) drives at regular intervals to rein in Blueline buses. Due to individual ownership of buses, instead of cooperatives or corporate houses, there are some problems."
Just like in case of past incidents, once again Haroon Yusuf has made new promises. But there is no surety about when will these changes be implemented. If Delhi Government is really concerned about the grievances of common people, the laws must be made strict. Only licensed and experienced drivers should be allowed to drive buses and traffic police shouldn’t leave the accused drivers by taking bribe. Meanwhile increasing the number of DTC buses in Delhi and NCR is the need of time to reduce the burden on Blueline buses.
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