Delhi govt decides to shift millenium bus depot

The Aam Aadmi party government today decided to shift to a new location the DTC millennium bus depot built on the Yamuna river bed at a cost of Rs 60 crore ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010 by the then Sheila Dikshit dispensation.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the government will submit an affidavit before the Delhi High court tomorrow on the issue. He said the site of the depot may be converted into a park.
Environmental groups have been demanding the dismantling of the depot, saying it will adversely affect the river Yamuna and the eco-system surrounding it.

The bus depot, spread over a 60-acre-plot along the western banks of the Yamuna, has parking space for around 1,000 low-floor buses besides various other facilities, including five workshop-cum-scanning centres, a logistic centre and two CNG-filling stations.
"Till now, the government's stand on the issue had been that the land use is O zone and it should be changed into transport zone. But today, we decided to shift the DTC millennium bus depot from the banks of Yamuna and Lt Governor is very happy with our decision," Kejriwal said.
The Chief Minister said the government will seek time from the court to find a new location for the depot.

"We should not tamper with the fragile Yamuna ecology and tomorrow we will convey the same to the court. Structures which are developed will remain there but no new structures would be built. We will rather develop it for people. May be, we can set up a park there," Kejriwal said.
The decision was taken at a meeting Kejriwal had with various stakeholders including Transport Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Chief Secretary S K Srivastava and officials from DDA, DTC and DJB.
Convenor of Jiye Yamuna Abhiyan Manoj Misra alleged the bus depot was constructed on the river bed in violation of all laws of the land. He said this aspect was even highlighted by the PM-appointed Shunglu Committee that had probed alleged irregularities in CWG projects.