New Delhi, Apr 17: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off 200 electric buses at the East Vinod Nagar Depot and said her government is working in mission mode to fully transition Delhi’s public transport to electric vehicles (EVs).
With the addition of these Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, 4,550 of the 6,300 public transport buses in the capital are now electric buses, the chief minister said at the event.
“The objective of every initiative of the Delhi government is to provide better connectivity, a clean environment, and modern transport facilities to the citizens,” CM Gupta said.
A large number of the new buses are ‘Devi’ buses, which will provide better transport facilities to common citizens by reaching remote and narrow lanes, she added.
Gupta also flagged off the Delhi-Rohtak intercity bus service and inaugurated the Madanpur Khadar bus terminal and a new building at the East Vinod Nagar Depot.
“The launch of the Delhi-Rohtak interstate bus service will strengthen regional connectivity. The inauguration of the Madanpur Khadar bus terminal as a crucial facility for passengers, making transport services more organised,” the chief minsiter said.
This building is equipped with a biometric system and health check-up facilities to ensure that drivers operate buses in a safe and healthy condition, thereby reducing the possibility of accidents, Gupta added.
“Delhi’s EV policy is the most effective in the country. The national capital has been facing problems due to air pollution for the past several years, but the previous governments did not come up with a proper plan,” she said.
“A massive EV Waste Disposal Plant will also be established in the Holambi Kalan area to ensure the scientific disposal of e-vehicle batteries in the future to protect nature,” she added.
In a post on X, she said, “Our government is working in mission mode to fully convert Delhi’s public transport to EVs. The number of… (electric) buses in Delhi has already exceeded 4500, with a target to reach 7000 by the end of 2026.”
According to the chief minister, a budget of Rs 4,000 crore has been allocated for the next four years, under which not only are private vehicles being incentivised with road tax exemptions. But a plan is also ready to transition school buses and commercial vehicles to electric in a phased manner.
