This Article is From Apr 16, 2016

Improvement In Public Transport Needed For Success Of Odd-Even: Ajay Maken

Improvement In Public Transport Needed For Success Of Odd-Even: Ajay Maken

Congress leader Ajay Maken alleged that the DTC in the national capital has suffered during the one-and-half-year rule of AAP dispensation. (File photo)

New Delhi: Delhi unit of Congress today attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government, accusing it of putting "pressure" on people by implementing the odd-even scheme and said the car-rationing drive will only succeed if the city public transport system is improved.

"AAP government is putting pressure on people with introduction of second phase of the odd-even scheme in Delhi without improving the public transport system, despite being in power for nearly one and half years," Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said at a press briefing.

The scheme can succeed only if the public transport is improved, he said adding "pollution cannot be reduced without bringing down the number of two wheelers which has registered growth due to absence of an efficient public transport system".

Citing statistics of DTC, Mr Maken alleged that the public transporter in the national capital has suffered during the one-and-half-year rule of AAP dispensation.

"DTC fleet strength that was 5445 in 2012-13 during Congress rule, was reduced to 4421 in January 2016 under the AAP government which had done "nothing" to make up from the shortfall of 1000 buses. Even the existing fleet was not being utilised properly," Mr Maken said.

The ridership and revenue of DTC have also "gone down" during AAP's tenure, he said.

"When Congress was in power, the DTC ridership was 46.77 lakh per day in 2012-2013 which came down to 43.09 lakh per day in January 2016. Its earning of Rs 3.17 crore per day in 2012-13, fell to Rs 2.46 crore per day in January 2016," Mr Maken said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who "talks big" and "misleads" the people, should ask his transport minister to see the operational statistics of DTC and work out plans to improve its operational efficiency and fleet strength, Mr Maken said.
.