After being hauled up by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for its failure to implement the odd-even scheme last week, Delhi Cabinet has passed a proposal to procure 1,000 new CNG-operated buses.
Addressing a media gathering at the Delhi Secretariat today, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot said, “The government has taken steps to increase the number of DTC buses to provide better travelling options in the city. The Cabinet has approved a proposal to procure 1,000 new CNG-operated buses by September-end next year.”
For the procurement of the buses, the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) is likely to be issued by November 30, 2017.
Last week, when the city’s air pollution reached the “emergency” mark from the “severe” category, the government decided to implement the odd-even scheme for five days to minimise the number of private vehicles plying on Delhi’s roads.
But it had to roll back its decision on the twin issues of inclusion of two-wheelers and women’s safety. Also, the government was not prepared to ply 60 lakh extra commuters across the city.