BJP slams AAP govt for delay in implementing slashed bus fares
Delhi govt said it was seeking comments from its departments on slashing the charges.
New Delhi: BJP leader Vijender Gupta on Monday criticised Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party government for its failure to roll out the month-long programme to slash fares of DTC and cluster buses by 75 per cent, despite announcing the scheme.
"Failure of Delhi government to reduce fares of DTC buses from January 1 proves its inefficiency and incapability," said Gupta.
Delhi government was to implement the scheme from Sunday, but a day before the implementation it said it was seeking "comments" from its departments on slashing the charges. The late move meant that the programme's launch was to be delayed.
The move was aimed at encouraging people to use public transport and would have helped in containing air pollution in Delhi, where the air quality entered the 'severe' zone on December 29 after deteriorating for the previous two days.
According to Central Pollution Control Board a person may develop respiratory illness on prolonged exposure to 'very poor' quality air, while 'severe' may affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing respiratory diseases.
Gupta said the AAP government was "preoccupied" with "election politics" in other states and it would be several days before the reduced bus fares is implemented on the buses.
Delhi government has, however, said that the month-long programme was likely to come into effect this week. Delhi Transport Corporation has 4,355 buses and 1,600 cluster (orange) buses.