Depot shifting: DDA offers to re-assess stand against giving

A day after it expressed its inability to give land for relocation of a bus depot from the Yamuna river bed, DDA today told Delhi High Court it would take a relook once DTC makes a comprehensive representation on the issue.
The assurance came after high court asked DDA not to neglect its responsibility in the matter.
The Millennium Bus Depot stands on the fragile Yamuna river bed where it was built at a cost of Rs 60 crore ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Justice SK Mishra directed that a senior DDA official be present for the next hearing to give a clear idea on the issue of allotment of land to Delhi Transport Corporation which, along with Delhi government, has already given an undertaking that it would relocate the depot.

"DDA has sought an adjournment for seeking instructions... Some senior person from the department should remain present (for the next hearing)," the bench said.
The agency had yesterday expressed its inablity to give land for the relocation, in response to which high court told DDA that, "Think about the chaos. If buses are relocated, then they would be parked on roads and that would create a ruckus".

In its response, Rajeev Bansal, the counsel for DDA told court that "I can assure this court that an informed and reasoned decision will be taken" once DTC makes a comprehensive representation on the issue.

The court then fixed the matter for February 19.
DDA has earlier stated its inability in court to provide land to DTC for housing over 1,000 buses.
Referring to the judgement of a division bench, DDA also said that there was no direction for allotment of another piece of land to DTC.
"Perhaps you (DDA) are not liable to allot the land. DDA should look into the interest of the public. They should understand the present situation. Things cannot go on like this.
"It's your (DDA's) obligation... Over 1,000 buses will (be forced to park) on the road; does DDA have no obligation to look into it?" the court said.