4000 additional buses will be on the roads from January 1: Gopal Rai

NEW DELHI: As many as 4000 additional buses will be pressed into service by Delhi government, as part of its efforts to strengthen the public transport, from January 1, when the odd-even scheme for plying of private vehicles will come into force.

The Delhi government has tied up with the Delhi Contract Bus Association ( DCBA), an apex body of contract carriage and tourist bus operators in Delhi.

"We had a meeting with the members of Delhi Contract Bus Association (DCBA) in the Secretariat following which details have been prepared.

"Around 4000 extra buses will be on the roads between January 1-15 and they will be all CNG buses. To chalk out the details of the proposal, a committee has been formed," Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said today.

These buses will run through Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

Rai further said that tomorrow, Delhi government will hold a meeting with the heads of the schools in the national capital to see if the school buses can be also roped into the mission. The Minister also appealed to the people of Delhi to cooperate with Delhi government in its efforts to decongest the roads and combat pollution.

Rai was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Job Summit at the Thyagaraj stadium. He also handed over job offer letters to candidates who have been employed through the fair.

Around 3000 people have been employed through the job Summit while 12,9,24 have been shortlisted by private companies which had participated in the programme.

The odd-even scheme for plying of private vehicles in the city will be in force from 8 AM-8 PM from January 1 for an initial period of 15 days and there will be no restrictions on vehicular movement on Sundays.

Rai said government will come out with a detailed blueprint by December 25 which will answer all the questions being raised by experts and public.