Ab bus!

Govt asks Tata Motors to check all low-floor buses supplied so far

Ab bus!

Govt asks Tata Motors to check all low-floor buses supplied so far

The Delhi government has told Tata Motors to take up a comprehensive check up of the low-floor buses it supplied to the Delhi Transport Corporations after several such vehicles went up in flames on city roads.

With the Opposition cornering the government in the Assembly over the matter, a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit decided to direct the manufacturers to take up a detailed overhaul of the vehicles.

Earlier in the day, the government fined Tata Motors Rs 4 crore for failing to ensure proper maintenance. The money is part of the Rs 10 annual maintenance charge for the low-floor buses.

"Tata Motors have been told in plain words to undertake a comprehensive check-up of 950 buses by January 2010. The comprehensive check-up will include each and every vital part of the CNG bus. The check-up will continue on a regular interval to satisfy all the norms of safety. The Tatas have further been told to be more cautious and revise their time schedule for general checks," a government statement said.

The meeting also decided to launch initiatives to improve coordination between DTC officials and Tata Motors to ensure the safety and security of the passengers using public transport system.

Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said the government would not shy away from taking action. "If required, we will not back out from taking action against the company under criminal proceedings," Lovely said.

He informed the house that the government has also stopped a payment of Rs 150 crore to Tata Motors, which was to be paid for buying 321 low-floor buses.

Though Tata Motors did not come out with an official reply till late evening, company officials remained closeted with their government counterparts.