The Delhi transport department may have bitten off more than it can chew. The phasing out of 823 Blueline buses is already giving the Delhi transport corporation the jitters. While the body has been instructed to fill the gap, authorities fear that their arrangements may fall short of the demand.

With a continued shortage of drivers, DTC officials are anticipating chaos on Delhi streets during evenings.

DTC is will have to take on the load with 500 new buses on a fleet extended from 3,500 to 4,000. Drivers have also been made to bear the brunt, having to work 12 hours instead of the usual 9.

Elucidating preparations for the big shift, a DTC official said that for the five buses removed from route 19 (Shivaji stadium to Jahangirpuri), five new ones have been deployed.

Similarly, the shift of buses has also been extended wherever the pressure necessitates such, he added.