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Delhi Pushes for 3,330 New E-Buses in Major Green Transport Expansion

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the submission of a detailed proposal to the central government for the immediate procurement of 3,330 additional electric buses. The buses, in three different sizes, are intended to provide comprehensive connectivity from narrow streets to major arterial roads. This move aims to significantly expand Delhi's electric bus fleet, with a goal of operating 7,000 e-buses by the end of 2026 to reduce pollution and modernize public transport. The Delhi government has stated it is prepared to bear the cost itself if any central subsidy hurdles arise to prevent delays.

Key Points: Delhi Seeks 3,330 Electric Buses to Combat Pollution

  • Proposal for 3,330 new e-buses
  • Aims for 7,000 e-buses by 2026
  • Buses of three sizes for full connectivity
  • Delhi ready to self-fund if needed
  • Part of PM E-DRIVE Scheme expansion
3 min read

Delhi CM sends proposal to Centre for immediate procurement of 3,330 e-buses

Delhi CM sends proposal to Centre for immediate procurement of 3,330 e-buses to create one of the world's largest clean bus fleets.

"These 3,330 new buses are not merely a mode of public transport, but will also form the foundation of Delhi's green transition. - Chief Minister Rekha Gupta"

New Delhi, Jan 10

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday that the Transport Department officials have submitted a detailed proposal to the Central Government's agency, Convergence Energy Services Limited, for the immediate procurement of 3,330 additional electric buses.

The Chief Minister described the proposal as the Delhi government's fresh step towards making the capital's transport system completely 'green' and delivering a decisive blow against pollution.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made it clear that ensuring clean air in Delhi and providing citizens with a modern, convenient and affordable public transport system are among her government's highest priorities.

With this objective, following a recent high-level meeting with CESL, it was decided to increase Delhi's bus allocation under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme (Phase-2).

According to the Chief Minister, after reassessing requirements, demand has been placed for buses of different sizes to ensure connectivity from narrow streets to major arterial roads.

The Transport Department has sought a total of 3,330 buses, comprising 500 buses of 7 metres, 2,330 buses of 9 metres and 500 buses of 12 metres. All buses will be low-floor, air-conditioned electric buses.

The 7-metre buses will serve narrow streets and provide last-mile connectivity to residents. The 9-metre buses will operate on smaller roads and as feeder services. The 12-metre buses will be deployed on main routes and heavily congested corridors.

Chief Minister Gupta stated that her government has requested the Central Government and the Ministry of Heavy Industries to include this additional requirement (separate from the already allotted quota of 2,800 buses) under the subsidy model.

She said that if any technical hurdles arise with regard to subsidies, the Delhi Government is fully prepared to bear the cost itself to ensure that there is no delay in procuring the buses.

The Chief Minister believes that these 3,330 new buses are not merely a mode of public transport, but will also form the foundation of Delhi's green transition. Their induction will reduce citizens' dependence on private vehicles and lead to a significant reduction in harmful emissions.

Low-floor buses will make travel safer and more comfortable for women passengers and senior citizens. The Delhi Government aims to ensure that, in the coming months, Delhi's bus fleet becomes one of the largest and cleanest electric bus networks in the world.

At present, a total of 5,336 government buses are operating in Delhi, of which 3,535 are electric buses. These include 1,162 nine-metre DEVI buses, 2,273 twelve-metre buses and 100 feeder buses.

According to the Chief Minister, more than 5,000 electric buses will be operating on Delhi's roads by March this year. Her resolve is that by the end of 2026, 7,000 electric buses will be made available to the people of Delhi.

After the induction of 2,800 buses under PM E-DRIVE (Phase-1), the total number of buses in Delhi will rise to 10,430, and following the induction of 3,330 buses under PM E-DRIVE (Phase-2), the total fleet will increase to 13,760 buses, said a statement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While the intent is good, I hope the government also focuses on the supporting infrastructure. Where will all these buses be charged? Do we have enough depots with fast-charging facilities? And what about the reliability of the existing e-buses? Sometimes they break down. The plan must be holistic.
A
Aman W
Finally some focus on last-mile connectivity with those 7-meter buses! My colony has very narrow lanes, and auto-walas charge a fortune. If these small e-buses can come inside, it will be a game-changer for daily commuters like me. Fingers crossed 🤞
S
Sarah B
As a resident of Delhi for 5 years, the pollution is unbearable in winter. This is a welcome step. However, I sincerely hope the procurement process is transparent and efficient. We've seen projects get delayed for years. The CM saying they'll bear the cost if needed is a strong commitment.
V
Vikram M
Good move, but what about the traffic? Adding thousands of buses without improving road infrastructure and discipline will lead to more jams. Need synchronized traffic management and dedicated bus lanes to make this work. Otherwise, these shiny new buses will just be stuck in the same old snarls.
K
Kavya N
Low-floor AC buses are a blessing for my elderly parents and for women travelling with children. Safety and comfort are so important. If the network becomes reliable and frequent, many families will happily give up their second car. This is true progress for a modern Delhi! 🙏

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