Commuters suffer as private buses go off roads in Delhi

NEW DELHI - Daily commuters in New Delhi faced a harrowing time on Monday as about 1,600 private buses stayed off roads, causing problems to office-goers and students, alike.

According to the Delhi state government, the buses were shunted out during the Commonwealth Games to improve the image of the city, which would be visited by foreign delegates and teams. About 2 million visitors are expected for the mega-event.

Buses were off the roads in the areas around the Games venues, and other localities that may be frequented by visitors, causing many locals to suffer lengthy waits.

“I have been standing here for the past half-an-hour and haven’t got a bus yet. Just that private buses have been stopped. Earlier, due to private buses, it was easy to commute, but now it is really difficult because the bus services are limited,” said Gautam Singh, a resident of Noida.

“It will badly affect the public as we have to wait for half-hour, 45 minutes. The accessibility with Metro trains is also not possible in every corner of the city. This has created big problems in the city,” he added.

“I want to go to Saket (in south Delhi) and have been waiting here for half-an-hour, but lack of buses is the main problem. I am worried now; I have been assigned duty for the Commonwealth Games so I had to reach there, but due to unavailability of buses, I am delayed,” said Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Delhi.

For commuters, the nightmare has just begun as the drive would last for the duration of the Games, due to conclude on October 14. By Nitin Gautam (ANI)