Delhi Govt Adds 300 New Electric Buses to its EV Fleet

The new DTC electric buses come equipped with panic buttons and CCTV cameras for passenger safety.

Published On: 31/07/24
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The new electric buses will be stationed at three bus stops, which incorporate Sukhdev Vihar, Naraina, and Kalkaji.
The Delhi government has also electrified 60 depots to accommodate electric buses.

The Delhi government has added 320 new electric buses to its public transport fleet. The new electric buses were flagged by Delhi's Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena from Baansera near Sarai Kale Khan. The total number of Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) e-buses has now increased to 1,970. The national capital has the highest number of electric buses as public transport.

The new DTC electric buses come equipped with panic buttons and CCTV cameras for passenger safety. They also feature air conditioning and facilities for specially-abled passengers so that they can board smoothly. The Delhi government is aiming for 80 percent electrification of its bus fleet by 2025. At the moment, the national capital has 7,683 buses, out of which 1,970 are electric, while the remaining run on CNG. The latest electric buses will be positioned at three bus stops, which include Sukhdev Vihar, Naraina, and Kalkaji.

The new electric buses have arrived in Delhi at a time when the national capital is struggling with pollution. The LG of Delhi, VK Saxena, said, "I feel that if pollution needs to be reduced in Delhi, public transport needs to be strengthened and this is a step in that direction. Our effort will be that the central and Delhi governments, which are working together on this, should take this ahead."

Kailash Gahlot, Transport Minister of Delhi, said, “This is the highest number of buses in DTC's fleet. Even at the time of the Commonwealth Games, the fleet consisted of around 5,500 buses. It is an important milestone." The Delhi government has also electrified 60 depots to accommodate electric buses, out of which 18 have already been completed. The estimated expenditure on the electrification of depots is INR 1,500 crore.