New Delhi, August 19: In a significant move to promote green and public transportation, 200 new electric buses were inaugurated in Delhi on Wednesday. The event was graced by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, Tarunjeet Singh Sandhu, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who flagged off the buses from the Delhi University Sports Complex. With this addition, the total number of electric buses in the capital has surpassed 5,000, bringing the overall bus fleet to approximately 6,800.
On this occasion, the Delhi-Karnal interstate e-bus service, a ladies special bus service, and a public EV charging station at DTC’s Rajghat Depot-1 were also launched.
Among the new electric buses, 88 are 12 meters long, while 112 are 9 meters. All buses are low-floor and air-conditioned. The government aims to increase the total bus fleet in Delhi to around 14,000 by 2028-29 and convert all DTC buses to electric.
The ladies special bus service, designed for women and students, will have female police officers and home guard marshals on board. The operation of these buses will be managed by female staff. The Lieutenant Governor had instructed the launch of this special service during review meetings held on June 3 and June 16, focusing on women’s safety.
Each bus is equipped with a panic button linked directly to Delhi Police’s 112 PCR emergency response system. Pressing this button will quickly alert the 112 PCR for immediate action in emergencies.
A total of 56 dedicated women e-bus services have been initiated, including 30 ladies special trips on 15 high-demand routes and 26 U-special trips for university students on 13 routes. These services will operate during peak morning and evening hours.
Five air-conditioned electric buses will run between Delhi and Karnal, with 10 trips scheduled daily in both directions. The fare from Kashmiri Gate to Karnal is set at approximately ₹212. The buses will pass through Singhu Border, Rai, Bahalgarh, Murthal, Gannaur, Samalkha, Panipat, Gharaunda, and Madhuban.
Additionally, a public EV charging station has been established at Rajghat Depot-1, featuring four chargers with a capacity of 240 kilowatts. This station will cater to electric buses as well as heavy commercial electric vehicles and cars, supported by a compact sub-station with a capacity of 1,600 kVA.
Lieutenant Governor Tarunjeet Singh Sandhu emphasized the need for improved connectivity, a green economy, and clean transportation under the ‘Gati Shakti’ initiative. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the expansion of electric buses is a crucial step towards reducing pollution and enhancing the quality of life for Delhi residents.
Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh noted that the government is working towards increasing the number of buses to around 14,000 by 2028-29. He claimed that due to solid measures and improved operations, DTC has turned a profit this year.
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