Double-decker buses might return to Capital after 35 yrs

After more than three decades, double-decker buses may once again be plying on Delhi's roads.

- Snehil Sinha

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is preparing a pilot run to test the feasibility of running double-decker buses in the Capital, said at least two senior officials aware of the government's plans on the matter.

One such electric bus, manufactured and provided by Ashok Leyland under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, is already parked at the Okhla depot and may soon begin trial runs on select routes, one of the officials cited above said.

Transport minister Pankaj Singh on Friday confirmed that the government is examining whether the buses can be operated safely and effectively in the city.

“We have one bus and may get two more, but they are not operational yet. Officials are working on a route map to see if it is feasible to run these buses in Delhi. There are concerns regarding the height and weight of the bus and how easy or difficult it will be to manoeuvre them in Delhi traffic. Based on the results of the pilot survey, we will move forward,” he said.

Officials are studying maps, measuring tree canopies and checking the heights of overbridges to find a corridor that will not obstruct the top deck.