On Tuesday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena inaugurated 320 new electric buses, expanding the city’s fleet to 1,970 electric vehicles. This move is part of Delhi’s broader strategy to tackle air pollution and enhance public transport infrastructure.
At the launch event held at Baansera, Saxena emphasized that these additions would significantly contribute to reducing pollution in Delhi. “By strengthening our public transport system, we are taking a crucial step towards better air quality in the city,” he remarked. Saxena also mentioned ongoing plans to further increase the number of electric buses.
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot described the expansion as a significant achievement, noting that Delhi now boasts the largest number of electric buses in India and ranks third globally. Gahlot highlighted that the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet has grown to include 7,683 buses, up from 5,500 during the Commonwealth Games.
The new electric buses come equipped with modern safety and convenience features, including CCTV cameras and panic buttons. They are also designed to be accessible to differently-abled passengers. Gahlot pointed out that since January 2022, Delhi’s electric buses have collectively traveled over 112 million kilometers and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 91,000 tons.
The Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) manages 3,147 buses, including 400 electric ones, while the DTC operates 4,536 buses, with 1,570 being electric and 2,966 CNG-powered. The new buses will be distributed to depots in Sukhdev Vihar, Kalkaji, and Naraina.
Looking ahead, Delhi aims to have 10,480 buses by 2025, with 80 percent of them being electric. This goal underscores the city’s commitment to expanding its electric bus fleet and reducing its carbon footprint.