To turnaround the ailing Delhi transport system, just ensure timely (as per timetable) run of buses & see a dramatic change in the transport scenario, Mr. CM, Arvind Kejriwal

In the interest of one and all........

My dear countrymen...

It is a matter of great surprise and shock that despite adopting various measures from time to time to correct the shortcomings in DTC, even after High Court and Supreme Court interventions every now and then, why has nothing really changed till date and the position, more or less remains the same.

In about sixty years of my life and after spending more than 35 years in Delhi, I have seen many upheavals and changes taking place in DTC to improve the system.

People of Delhi have seen brand DTC to Demons like Red Line and Blue Line and bore their tyranny for years till clusters of buses from private operators were not introduced on Delhi road.

Some improvements have taken place with induction of more DTC AC and non AC buses and also from private operators but have not reached the satisfactory level yet probably due to indiscipline, not adhering to proper timetable, and mass scale corruption at almost all levels in the Transport Dept.

Based on my vast experience and very closely watching their operations, I have noticed some basic flaws, mentioned below:

·         Because there seems to be no timetable, sometimes 4-5 buses of same route number comes simultaneously, and then people have to wait very long for the next bus.

·         DTC running staff with connivance and from threat / Influenced from private operators and for greed are often seen violating rules and regulations till date, just to favor them at the cost of poor helpless commuters. These unholy practices were common , when DTC buses were few in nos. and blue line were in plenty, at present, that menace is under control up to some extent, but not completely, there is still rooms for improvement.

·         Due to a large crowd of commuters, sometimes there is duel/war like situations while boarding and alighting the bus. People often meet with minor to fatal accidents because of indecent, unfriendly behavior and poor attitude of staff in the bus.

·         In the name of reforms, people only hear that a number of buses are going to be introduced to the road, as if adding buses is the master key to all basic problems. Unless proper supervision and regulation are enforced, desired results are impossible. The ideal way is to control their entire movement through GPS based command and control system, but it may not be feasible now.

·         During lunch time, say from 1.00 p.m.to 3.00p.m, since frequency is low, people under compulsions face great hardships, besides wasting precious time and energy.

To overcome the above noted problems and for the overall improvement, may I suggest as per the following:

·         Let everyone in Transport Ministry to entire DTC staff and all employees of private operators know a new dynamic and innovative Govt. has taken the command of Delhi now and revolutionary changes might be possible in near future to pluck the rot from its root.

·         So they (entire Govt. and Pvt. staff) should leave their decades-old unethical and unbecoming practices as soon as possible, lest they should suffer and repent later.

·         They should learn to develop good habits and change their behavior in a passenger-friendly manner, the earlier the better.

·         Ministry should have its comprehensive timetable, covering entire Delhi and NCR areas, with route number and it’s arriving and departure time (for e.g. timetable of Indian Railways). And all the bus-stops must have permanent affixed boards mandatory displayed/ printed time clearly against each route number.

·         By doing so, Delhites will have the luxury of moving anywhere in Delhi or even outside Delhi with peace of mind and convenience, saving lots of time and energy.

·         With timetable handy, all the buses on the roads must be made to run as per its schedule and also follow the designated lanes as per court guidelines.

·         Planning should be done in such a manner that everyone is accommodated comfortably with a seat, treating humans as humans and not as animals.

·         Number of buses per route and their frequencies should be determined by total load/traffic of areas concerned, and accordingly buses increased/ decreased, either DTC or private buses.

·         Training people who are appointed to deal with public is a must, having proper uniform with appropriate identity around their neck, clearly legible so that they look like professionals.

·         Above mentioned urgent jobs are not easy to accomplish, one can understand, but at least, a beginning must be made towards this direction with full enthusiasm and sincerity at the earliest.

If there is a will, nothing is impossible in this world, as rightly said “where there is will, there is a way”. For successful completion of tasks, you can't depend on DTC alone. Let them work on their own and submit the report on day to day basis, at the same time, look out for the energetic young ambitious party cadres, who are dedicated to the party, train them and delegate the jobs of overseeing the total operations of buses on the road, based on their report and before arriving at final decisions for implementation hand over the job of final counter checking to some very sincere and trusted person for cent percent success and also for self-satisfaction. These steps are must for turnaround, believe me. Best of luck Mr. CM.

JAI HIND!

Writer (Sinha.P.K a member, AAP) is an amateur and views are strictly personal. Feedback / Criticism welcome at Email -pkmsinha@gmail.com or follow @ pkmsinha.blogspot.in]