Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung refuses nod to city plan for special bus lanes

In yet another confrontation between the AAP dispensation and lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung, the Delhi government on Wednesday said that the Raj Niwas has declined its proposal for dedicated bus lanes on Delhi roads and its plan to impose a fine of Rs 2,000 on the drivers violating this rule.

The AAP government had sent a proposal to create dedicated lanes for buses across the city. However, soon after the AAP government’s statement on the issue, Raj Niwas refuted it, saying that the lieutenant-governor has neither declined nor refused the proposal, but has sought clarifications from the Kejriwal government.

“The Delhi government informs the residents of the national capital with regret that the lieutenant-governor of Delhi has declined to approve the proposal for dedicated bus lanes on Delhi roads and imposition of a fine of Rs 2,000 to the violators of this rule. Following the demand of the Delhi traffic police and consistent orders of the Supreme Court of India over the years, the Delhi government had prepared this proposal and sent it to the lieutenant-governor for approval. The salient features of the proposal included – creation of dedicated bus lanes; it would be mandatory for buses to ply in these lanes and no obstruction would be allowed in these lanes (like parking of vehicles etc.). It was proposed that any violation of the above mentioned rules would attract a fine of Rs 2,000,” a statement from the Delhi government said.

The statement added that it was “unfortunate” the lieutenant-governor had declined approval to the proposal seeking enforcement of bus lanes and lane driving, stating that it is “ambiguous.”

Raj Niwas was, however, prompt in its reply, “This is to clarify that the lieutenant-governor has not declined or refused but has sought clarifications from the elected government, such as consultation with PWD as suggested by transport commissioner, since it is the road-owning agency, and getting the notification duly vetted by the law dept. The L-G has asked to resubmit the proposal at the earliest, ensuring full compliance of order of the Supreme Court.”