The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to stay the city government’s notification by which over 2,400 “killer” blueline buses will not be allowed to ply on the roads in New Delhi  from 15th December.

A bench headed by Justice A K Sikri did not entertain the plea of private bus operators that the Delhi government notification, issued on 27th October, should be stayed on the ground that it would render them jobless.

The court fixed the matter on 15th December for further hearing.

As per the notification, around 2,400 blueline buses will cease to operate on Delhi roads.

Earlier, another bench headed by Justice S K Kaul had refused to stay the notification observing that the lives of pedestrians were more important than the issue of livelihood of blueline operators.

The operators had argued that the phasing out of the buses would take away their source of bread and butter.

“What about bread and butter of family members of those who lost their life due to blueline buses?” Justice Kaul had said.

There are around 2,400 blueline buses currently operating in Delhi and only 800 of them will continue to ply till 14th December, the deadline set by the government for their total removal.

According to government statistics, 182 people lost their lives in accidents involving blueline buses in 2005 while the number of people killed by these buses in 2006 was 163.

108 people lost their lives in 2008 while in 2009, 115 people were killed in accidents involving blueline buses.