TRANSPORT MINISTER SHRI GOPAL RAI CONDUCTS A SURPRISE INSPECTION OF DTC RAJGHAT DEPOT
- 20 DRIVERS SUSPENDED AFTER THEY WERE FOUND ABSENT FROM DUTY WITHOUT ANY INTIMATION
- MINISTER SAYS GOVERNMENT COMMITTED FOR PROVIDING UNINTERRUPTED PUBLIC SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF DELHI
New Delhi: May 3, 2015
Delhi Transport Minister Mr Gopal Rai has ordered suspension of 20 regular drivers of the Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) Rajghat Depot after they were found absent from duty during the minister’s surprise inspection of the depot.
During the inspection it was observed by the minister that details of 57 DTC buses were not available online. On further inspection of records and duty registers it was found that 20 regular drivers whose duties were booked had not reported for duty.
These 20 regular drivers found absent had not given any intimation or reason to the concerned authorities for their unauthorized absence from duty, and thereby were found to have caused inconvenience to the public by denying them the right to travel in public transport.
Rajghat Depot has a fleet of 170 buses but due to a variety of reasons, including unauthorized absence of drivers, the number of buses leaving the depot in the evening shift is frequently less than this number.
At the time of inspection, the minister found only 100 buses had left the Depot and 57 buses were found to be standing inside. The reason given was that some of these buses were inside the depot due to non-availability of drivers.
Mr Rai said the government is committed for providing uninterrupted public transport services to the people of Delhi and will not tolerate any negligence on this issue.
He said more such steps are likely to be taken by the state government to streamline the public bus services in Delhi for the convenience of people.
The transport minister has informed that DTC has a fleet of 4705 buses and on an average 600 to 900 buses remain off roads, particularly in the evening hours due to the non-availability of operational staff specifically drivers.
The DTC has a total 12226 drivers on its rolls – (8039 regular and 4187 Contractual). The minister said government will take strict action against the drivers for unauthorized absence from duty.
