The Government of NCT of Delhi has inducted 150 pure-electric city buses to the city's public fleet in an effort to advance zero-emission mass transport. The new e-buses were flagged off by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while also dedicating three electric bus depots developed with an investment of ₹ 150 crores in the city.
Speaking at the flag-off event, Kejriwal attributed the electric bus fleet as a huge leap in Delhi's fight against air pollution. "We aim to transform Delhi's bus fleet into an all-electric fleet, as we trying our best to induct only electric buses", he said.
"Another batch of 150 more electric buses are to be added to our bus fleet by next month. Together, Delhi is soon to boast 2,000 new e-buses and 600-700 new CNG buses by next year. Delhi's cumulative bus fleet has already crossed 7,200 buses", he added.
The Chief Minister also kick-started the "#IrideEbus Campaign" to promote maximum adoption of electric buses by the people of Delhi. Under the campaign, the Delhi Government has organized a public contest to promote its new e-buses and encourage more people to experience them and spread the word.
To aid the e-bus fleets in the city, Delhi Government has built three electric depots in Rohini Sector-37, Mundela Kalan and Rajghat-2 to accommodate electric buses. At Mundela Kalan depot, 32 charging stations have been built at a cost of ₹ 24 crore, while 48 charging stations in Rohini Sector-37 depot has been built with an investment of ₹ 120 crore.
Apart from already announced 150 more e-buses, the state's Transport Department has also finalized the bids for 330 electric buses, which are expected to be included within 4 to 6 months. By the end of the year, DTC will induct 1,500 electric buses in its fleet along with 12 more e-bus depots, according to the government's official statement.
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