SUMAN DOVAL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) 'The petitioner is a public spirited Advocate of this court and a resident of Delhi, who is vitally concerned with the safety and well-being of the people of Delhi, has filed this petition.

(2.) According to the petitioner, it became imperative for him to file this petition because the newly-introduced Red line bus service has create havoc for the people living in the capital city of Delhi. It is alleged in the petition that a fleet of 3000 Red Line buses was introduced to cope up with the demand of transportation of the population of Delhi. The petitioner has mentioned that before granting permits to about 3000 buses, no scientific study was undertaken, the Government had no basis, data, professional study for introduction of the Red line bus system, it lacked all reasonable analysis in regard to sense of traffic, the capacity of the buses which could be taken by roads in Delhi, the interest of passengers and pedestrians and public at large was completely ignored in regard to travelling, safety and environment, and there is no sound or rational basis of dumping 3000 buses on Delhi roads without properly considering the relevant factors and parameters, designed for public safety and welfare. The petitioner has alleged that though ostensibly a fleet of 3000 buses was introduced for public convenience and interest but the same is proving counter-productive. It is also submitted that because of rash, negligent and reckless driving, large number of fatal accidents and minor accidents have taken place. In a short span of about 9 months, more than 100 persons have been killed and several hundreds injured by the drivers of Red line bus service.

(3.) This averment of the petitioner is corroborated by the affidavit of Shri Satish Mathur, Secretary, State Transport Authority, Delhi Administration, Delhi, filed in this court in which it is mentioned that, "number of complaints were being received against these Red line operators. A special drive was launched in April, 1993 for six weeks to check the erring buses on the road and about 6500 challans were issued on account of over-speeding, violations of speed governors etc. drivers not wearing uniforms and not in possession of driving licence, badges and unauthorised writting on the buses etc. 1142 buses were temporarily impounded on violation of speed governors. Another fresh drive has been launched on 14.6.1993 to check whether the buses had installed speed governors, they did not operative outside the prescribed. routes, the drivers were wearing uniforms while driving and to ensure that nothing except the route numbers were written on the buses so that uniformity in the service is maintained."