L-G gives nod to dedicated bus lanes

Motorists obstructing plying of buses on dedicated lanes might soon be prosecuted with a fine of Rs 2,000 in the national capital.

Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday gave his go-ahead to a Delhi government proposal to create such lanes on major roads.

Jung, however, has asked the government to come out clean on some issues, including plying of goods vehicles in bus lanes and relaxation to emergency vehicles, in the notification to be issued soon. The L-G has also asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dispensation to hold formal consultation with Delhi Traffic Police and incorporate their inputs in the notification.

In another development, the AAP government on Monday set up a five-member panel to investigate a kidney racket busted at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital here and asked it to submit its report within 15 days. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the committee would probe whether there were procedural lapses on the part of the hospital. The probe panel, headed by Dr D K Tampe, dean of Maulana Azad Medical College, has been asked to submit an interim report within a week.

Three months after L-G had sought a clarification from the Delhi government on its proposal to create dedicated bus lanes, the Arvind Kejriwal government had on June 3 sent back the plan making "minor" changes in it. In a press statement, the L-G office has asked the city government to carefully identify roads to be covered under the scheme.

Besides, Jung has asked government to clarify whether motorised vehicles other than buses and goods vehicles will be allowed on the dedicated bus lanes, under what conditions and the prosecuting powers to different offences/violations.