New Delhi, Nov 25: Blueline and DTC buses took one young life each in the past 24 hours, and sent a chilling reminder that the Capital’s roads continue to be a dangerous territory.
With Tuesday morning’s fatal accident, the state-run DTC buses have crushed 49 persons so far this year — up from last year’s figure of 35.
Late Monday night, a Blueline killed a motorcyclist in Karol Bagh, making it the 99th death in accidents involving Bluelines so far. In 2008, Bluelines were involved in 108 fatal accidents.
The victim of the DTC accident this morning was Salman Ansari, 16, who travelled from his home in Loni, Uttar Pradesh, to his school in Daryaganj every day. Ansari’s journey ended under the rear tyre of a bus on route number 205 (between New Seemapuri and Old Delhi station) around 8 am, when the driver accelerated as he was trying to hop on board, according to the police.
The accident took place in Mauzpur Chowk in Jaffarabad, Northeast Delhi.
Ansari, a Class XI student of Sarvodaya Higher Secondary School in Jamia Masjid area, was declared dead when rushed to a nearby hospital, the police said.
The bus driver, identified as Kuldeep, was arrested; police said the vehicle has been impounded.
A witness to the accident who was on the same bus alleged that the teenager was “pushed out” by the conductor for not paying the fare. But the police have not substantiated this charge yet.
According to a police officer, the victim’s father, Nawab Ansari, and elder brother Imran came to the hospital and took the body home.
Earlier, around 1 am, a Blueline bus on route number 753 (between Uttam Nagar and Old Delhi railway station) hit a motorcycle and killed one Nakul, 22, and injured two others.
A resident of Paharganj, Nakul was riding back home on his motorcycle after attending a wedding function in Rajouri Garden with younger brother Arjun and friend Suraj when the accident took place, the police said.
An officer said the motorcycle was attempting to overtake the bus when it was knocked down. He was declared dead when taken to Ganga Ram Hospital, the officer added.
The police have impounded the bus, though the driver is absconding.
There have been 5,810 accidents till October 31 this year, involving both
Blueline and DTC buses. But some of the bus drivers — most did not want to be quoted — claimed the victims, especially motorcyclists, are at fault many of the cases.
WHAT THEY SAY
“We are taking strong action against Blueline buses if they flout rules. We are also taking all possible action to bring down number of fatal accidents. We think we are slowly being successful in that.”
S N Srivastava, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic)
“Blueline drivers drive fast to earn more money. We are government employees and don’t need to rush. They cause most accidents and never let other buses overtake — we have been driving for years and have more on-road experience, but sometimes accidents happen.”
Rajguru, steers DTC bus on route number 770 (Ambedkar Stadium to Palam Vihar)
“DTC drivers have the government backing them, so they drive recklessly. We drive with speed governors and don’t go above 40 km per hour but if a biker
comes from the left, how will I know? It is mostly these young men on bikes who are victims of accidents.”
Sanjay Kumar, steers Blueline bus on same route (770)
–Agencies