DTC justifies decision to buy 1,000 standard buses in Delhi HC

New Delhi: The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Monday justified in the Delhi high court its decision to issue tender for procuring 1,000 standard buses even as it admitted that the low floor buses were more efficient and safe for passengers in comparison to the old ones.

The DTC claimed that it was trying to provide all facilities except wheel chair provision in its new  standard size buses, to be procured, as required under the Persons with Disabilities (equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act, 1995.

The corporation made the submissions in an affidavit filed before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar,  while hearing a PIL by N. Malhotra challenging the government’s decision of last year to procure 2,000 standard-floor buses at a cost of Rs 300 crore.

Mr Malhotra, who suffers from a locomotor disability, in an affidavit has said that according to the DTC’s own data, low floor buses were safer than the standard floor ones. The affidavit, filed through advocate Jai Dehadrai, also claimed that the low floor buses were more efficient.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on May 14.