New Delhi:
In a bid to make public transport in Delhi safer, the Delhi government today decided to double the number of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses that ply along the capital's routes at night. Additionally, home guards will be deployed on buses at night to ensure the safety of passengers.
The decision was taken at a meeting today chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and attended by the transport minister and senior officials. She instructed them to improve the overall services of DTC, which operates a fleet of around 6,000 buses.
The Chief Minister said that DTC would now ply 85 buses instead of 42 under its night service. "The routes would probably touch all important junctions in the city. The department may also consider deployment of home guards in DTC buses during evening hours at a later stage," Dikshit said.
The new measures came against the backdrop of the horrific gang-rape of 'Amanat' (NOT her real name) in a moving chartered bus in south Delhi. The incident has led to vociferous demands for a more secure public transport system and greater security measures for women in Delhi during night hours.
Ms. Dikshit also held an emergency meeting with her cabinet colleagues this morning and took stock of the overall situation in the capital in the aftermath of the gang-rape case and subsequent protests, which turned violent over the weekend.
(
With PTI inputs)