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April Fool's day on Sunday brought more than just 'innocent fun' to Delhiites, with the less fortunate having to shell out exorbitant three-wheeler fares and spend a lot of time waiting at bus-stops.
"The government is holding us to ransom. Why didn't it make alternative arrangements for public transport, as directed by the Supreme Court, when it knew that only CNG buses would be allowed to ply from the beginning of April? Who cares for us?"
"After haggling for almost half an hour, I got a three-wheeler to take me to Ashram for Rs 200. Can you believe it?" said 36-year-old housewife Nutan Sehgal, a resident of Mayur Vihar's pocket IV.
"I waited at the bus-stop for almost an hour. Finally, I shared an autorickshaw with four others to go to Parliament Street, with each of us paying Rs 140. What kind of loot is this?" asked K Unnikrishnan Nair, a resident of Samachar Apartments.
He said the government should have made alternative arrangement since the Supreme Court's determination not to allow highly polluting diesel buses to ply from April 1 was no secret. At least innocent citizens would not be at the mercy of unscrupulous autorickshaw drivers.
Unnikrishnan, however, was happy that pollution levels in the national capital had decreased ever since fewer diesel buses and non-CNG autorickshaws were allowed to ply.
Shopkeepers near Fine Home Apartments in Mayur Vihar bluntly said that the government did not care for the people.
"How can the government talk about India being a great economic and Information Technology power, when it cannot provide basic amenities like public transport ? It is all the more shameful considering that Delhi is the capital."
"Even after more than half a century, poor people have been left to fend for themselves as there is no public transport system worth the name," said Naresh, a mechanic in a designer watch shop.
Those unable to pay excessive fares walked to their destinations.
"Have you seen the few private buses plying? They are packed. My friend and I walked from Mayur Vihar to Kaluserai and back. Frankly, I enjoyed the walk and saved money," said Murtaza Ali, a fruit-seller.
However, autorickshaw drivers have their own point of view on the CNG issue.
"Sahib, I paid Rs 140,000 for this CNG autorickshaw, with two loans. If I charge a little more money from passengers on a day like this, why should you blame me?"
"Besides, we waste many hours for refills and lose customers," said Gautal Rathore, who claimed to be a graduate from Kirori Mal College.
Tyrone Thompson, a computer software expert, had something else to worry about. "The driver of the school bus which my two daughters use has warned me that I should be prepared to pay at least 40 per cent more for the CNG bus, which he is acquiring."
"Parents have to tackle such issues for no fault of our own," Thompson pointed out.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hear on Tuesday an application from the Delhi Government seeking relaxation for a week for providing mandatory permits for buses to mitigate the suffering of commuters and vehicle owners.
The application will be heard by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice A S Anand.
Expressing inability to cope with the huge rush of vehicle owners seeking permits, the government wanted a special sitting of the court on Monday, but the court registry showed its inability to constitute a special bench.
The government was told that the application would be taken up for hearing on Tuesday.
EARLIER REPORTS SC sticks to deadline on non-CNG buses SC asks Delhi govt to adhere to March 31 deadline
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