Delhi HC seeks status report on bus depot relocation

The Delhi High Court Friday directed the DDA to give a status report, within four weeks, on the progress in allotment of land to relocate DTC's Millennium Bus Depot.

Justice Sudershan Kumar Misra sought response from Delhi Development Authority on the allocation of three new sites identified for relocating the depot on 50 acres of land.

Millennium Bus Depot was built on the Yamuna river bed ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The court was informed that the lt.governor recently held meeting with DDA, DTC and other authorities on the issue where three new sites were identified.

It was decided that the DDA will allot 20 acres of land in Millenium Park to DTC, while the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) adjoining Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, will be shifted to Narela and that 10 acres land be used.

"The DTC will shift the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) (approximately 10 acres) adjoining Sarai Kale Khan ISBT to a vacant site at Narela to be allotted by DDA, thereby making available another 10 acres for relocation of Millenium Depot at Sarai Kale Khan ISBT," said the letter from the additional secretary to the lt. governor.

The DDA will allot further 20 acres at Rohini phase 4 to DTC to accommodate the depot.

The letter also stated that as regard to "creation of infrastructure, requirement of statutory approval, requirement of financial resources, apportionment of such resources and to realistically assess the time required for relocation of the bus depot after completing due process, chairman cum MD of DTC will co-ordinate with officials of DDA, transport department of Delhi, and divisional commissioner of Delhi in a time bound manner".

Earlier the DTC had said that shifting the depot to another place will cost Rs.300 crore while it was built for Rs.60 crore on about 50 acres of land.

It had said there were some "practical difficulties" in shifting the depot but it would be relocated by Oct 31.