Delhiites soon to be fined Rs 2000 for obstruction on bus lanes

NEW DELHI: Delhiites will soon have to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 for obstructing the plying of buses on their dedicated lanes as the AAP government today announced that a rule in this regard will be brought into effect within a week.

The government's decision comes just four days after the car rationing Odd-Even scheme, which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed a "success", was wrapped up.

"We have decided to impose a fine of Rs 2,000 on those who park their cars on dedicated bus lanes or encroach upon it or cause obstructions to the plying of buses.

"We will not have any problem if cars and other vehicles are plying on bus lanes, but if someone obstructs operation of buses on dedicated bus lane, he or she will be challaned," Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

With the government aiming at promoting public transport and shortening travel time of bus passengers, Sisodia said, "If buses get sufficient space, people will reach their destination on time. People who travel by private vehicles may also then think about travelling in buses."

A senior official said the government will impose the fine on violators under Motor Vehicle Act by issuing an order similar to the one issued during Commonwealth Games 2010.

PWD Minister Satyendar Jain said that the new rule will come into effect within a week and government will take strict action against those who park their vehicles on bus lanes.

"As per new rule, you can drive your car or bike on bus lane, but you cannot stop on dedicated bus lane. Parking or obstruction on bus lanes will not be allowed. The new rule will be enforced within one week.

"Government will not tolerate any obstruction on bus lanes. If towing vans pick up any vehicle from bus lane, violators will have to pay Rs 500-700 for this separately," Jain said, adding that the problem of traffic was quite big in Delhi and it was the government's responsibility to solve it.

So far, government has marked bus lanes on 400 kilometres of roads across the national capital.

Sisodia said if government marks bus lanes on 600-700 km of main roads of the capital, buses will ply at a high speed.

"We want buses to ply at a high speed and we also want car users to travel in buses as there is sufficient space for buses on roads," he added.