Staff of DTC, cluster buses provided with masks, hand sanitisers

In view of coronavirus outbreak, Delhi government has provided masks and hand sanitisers to staff of public transport buses that are serving as lifeline of city during lockdown by transporting people associated with essential services. Delhi's Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Friday said drivers, conductors and marshals in all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses were provided with masks and hand sanitisers.

"All DTC and Cluster Bus Drivers, Conductors and Marshals have been provided with Mask and Hand Sanitisers. I am proud of you all. Doing a wonderful job in se difficult times by transporting people involved in essential services," he said in a tweet.

Barring over-6,000 DTC and cluster buses, all or modes of transport, including Delhi Metro trains, taxis, autorickshaws and e-rickshaws, have been taken off ro due to 21-day nationwide lockdown anunced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bid to curb spre of dely coronavirus. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has lauded personnel involved in providing essential services, saying ir safety is very important.

"Am so proud of all Delhiites who are providing essential services during lockdown. ir safety is very important for us," he wrote while re-tweeting Gahlot's tweet.

Earlier this week, Kejriwal h anunced a lockdown till March 31, banning all modes of public transport except 25 per cent of DTC and cluster buses for ferrying people associated with essential services. However, number was increased to 50 per cent of fleet size due to crowding and problems faced because of lesser number of buses.