CAG Report: 3.57 Lakh Bus Breakdowns in Delhi Over Seven Years
A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on Delhi’s public transport system has revealed alarming statistics regarding bus breakdowns in Delhi.
Between 2014 and 2021, Delhi recorded 3.57 lakh instances of bus breakdowns, averaging 139 breakdowns per day. These frequent failures not only cause road congestion but also highlight inefficiencies in the response and recovery mechanism.
Also Read: CAG Report on DTC Losses: From Rs 25,300 Crore to Rs 60,750 Crore in 6 Years
Bus Breakdowns in Delhi: Alarming Statistics
| Time Period | Total Breakdown Cases | Breakdowns Per Day (Avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 – 2021 | 3.57 lakh | 139 |
- 70% (2.51 lakh) of breakdowns took more than 30 minutes for towing.
- Delays worsened traffic congestion in already crowded areas.
Breakdown Response Time Analysis
The report highlighted severe delays in the removal of broken-down buses, making the recovery process inefficient.
| Response Time | Percentage of Cases |
|---|---|
| 31 minutes – 2 hours | 54% |
| 2 – 4 hours | 29% |
| More than 4 hours | 17% |
- No strict penalty existed for failure to remove stalled buses within four hours.
- DTC contractors were fined only if delays exceeded four hours, amounting to 50% of average daily ticket revenue per bus.
Previous Mechanisms for Handling Bus Breakdowns
- Pre-May 2017: Concessionaire Model
Buses were attended to by respective concessionaires as per their cluster-wise agreements. - Response time was beyond 30 minutes in 71% of cases (415 out of 581 breakdowns).
- Post-June 2017: Unified Emergency Response Mechanism
Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) introduced an emergency response system. - 10 recovery van locations were designated for faster service.
- However, delays increased, with response times exceeding 30 minutes in 79% of cases (774 out of 981 breakdowns).
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Recent Measures to Reduce Bus Breakdowns in Delhi
In November 2021, the Department of Transport (DoT) introduced new measures to enhance response time:
- Directive to bus depots: Nearest bus depots instructed to remove stalled buses.
- Real-time tracking: A Data Centre was set up to track buses in real-time for faster removal.
Despite efforts, the bus breakdowns in Delhi remain a persistent issue, requiring further improvements in emergency response and vehicle maintenance strategies.