Staff Reporter DTC directed to initiate negotiations for the purchase The Cabinet also gave the green signal for re-development of DTC depots and terminals PWD proposal for construction of a road over-bridge and road under-bridge cleared NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet on Monday gave its nod for purchase of 1,250 low-floor air-conditioned and 1,875 low-floor non-air-conditioned Compressed Natural Gas-run buses for the city. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who presided over the meeting, said the decision to buy more buses was taken to strengthen the intra-service bus fleet of the Delhi Transport Corporation. The DTC has been directed to initiate negotiations for the purchase of buses. "The response to the low-floor air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned CNG buses has been extremely positive,' said Ms. Dikshit. The Cabinet also gave the green signal for re-development of DTC depots and terminals as per the recommendation of the Master Plan for Delhi-2021. The depots would be re-developed to facilitate commercial development and construction of multi-storey parking facility for buses. It would reduce DTC's dependence on the Government and also help it to further improve the city transport and provide better passenger amenities. The process of re-development would be initiated from the Vasant Vihar depot. The Cabinet also cleared a Public Works Department proposal for construction of a road over-bridge and road under-bridge at Road No. 68 railway level crossing near Nand Nagri at an estimated cost of Rs.107 crore. The project would be executed within 30 months after award of tender. Bridges at the crossing are essential for free movement of traffic. Separate bus bays would be constructed to improve bus facilities. The bridges will reduce pollution levels and improve traffic circulation in the area. The Cabinet also considered the action taken reports submitted by various departments and local bodies with regard to implementation of the Prime Minister's new 15-Point Programme for the welfare of minorities. The programme is aimed at enhancing the opportunities for education, ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment and improving the living conditions of minorities communities and preventing and controlling of communal riots. The meeting also decided to authorise the State Home Secretary to regularly monitor implementation of the programme and submit a six-monthly report to the Cabinet. "This would go a long way in implementation of the programme in true spirit and help in uplift of the minorities,' Ms. Dikshit said. The Chief Minister announced that the Cabinet had also given its approval for creation of 1,040 posts, including 160 posts of officers of the Delhi Judicial Service and other posts of ancillary staff in different scales, for the Dwarka and Saket district courts with the aim of overcoming the problem of pending cases and ensure a smooth functioning of the judicial system.