Delhi accelerates green mobility as DTC inducts 500 new electric buses

New Delhi: In a major push towards sustainable urban transport, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Sunday inducted 500 new electric buses into its public transport fleet, marking the largest single induction of e-buses in the city’s history and taking the total number of electric buses in the capital to over 4,000.

The sleek, air-conditioned, low-floor electric buses were flagged off from Ramlila Maidan in an event attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other dignitaries. This milestone establishes Delhi as the state with the largest electric bus fleet in India, surpassing all other states.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted that the expansion of the electric bus fleet is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to reduce vehicular pollution and provide commuters with a clean, comfortable, and safe mode of travel. She noted that the new buses come equipped with modern safety features such as panic buttons, CCTV cameras, and GPS tracking to enhance commuter security and convenience.

Gupta reiterated the government’s ambitious target to expand the e-bus fleet to 7,500 by the end of 2026, and ultimately 14,000 by 2028, reflecting a broader vision of making Delhi’s public transportation system greener and more efficient.

"This step will not only boost transportation and connectivity in the city but also help in cutting down air pollution. These EV buses will improve air quality while meeting the transport needs of Delhi,” she said at the launch event for the new electric buses.

A new interstate electric bus route

In a strategic move to enhance regional connectivity, the Delhi government also launched a new electric bus service between Delhi and Panipat (Haryana). This inter-state route aims to serve daily commuters, office employees, and industrial workers along an 86-kilometre stretch that includes key stops such as the Singhu border, Murthal, and Samalkha.

Transport Minister Pankaj Singh stated that the service provides a pollution-free alternative for commuters and strengthens transport links within the National Capital Region (NCR).

Alongside the fleet expansion, the government is working to boost charging infrastructure and introduce supportive policies, including an upcoming electric vehicle (EV) policy and e-rickshaw policy to further enhance last-mile connectivity. These efforts are expected to create a more comprehensive ecosystem for clean mobility across the city.

The fleet expansion also came with financial measures to strengthen the DTC’s operations. A ₹1,200 crore grant was approved, with the majority allocated for employee salaries and pensions, while a portion will support transport modernisation and technology improvements.

(The article has been collated with the help of AI)

Tags : Electric Bus, DTC, Rekha Gupta, Transport, New Delhi