Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Delhi's electric bus fleet has crossed the 5,000 mark after the government added 200 new electric buses on Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off the buses at the Delhi University Sports Complex. With this addition, Delhi's public bus fleet has increased to around 6,800 buses.
Addition of New E-Buses in Delhi
The 200 newly added buses include 88 12-metre electric buses and 112 nine-metre Delhi EV Connector (DEVI) buses. The Delhi government has set an ambitious target of increasing the city's bus fleet to around 14,000 buses by 2028-29. It also plans to convert all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses into electric vehicles.
Delhi's Women-only Electric Buses
The government also introduced 56 women-only electric bus services on Wednesday. Some of these services will connect major Delhi University colleges, making daily travel easier and safer for female students.
Along with the new buses, authorities launched a Delhi-Karnal interstate electric bus service, dedicated Ladies Special bus services, and a new public electric vehicle charging station at DTC's Rajghat Depot 1.
Of the 56 women-only services, 30 Ladies Special trips will operate on 15 busy routes, while 26 University Ladies Special (U-SPL) trips will run on 13 routes. These buses will operate during morning and evening peak hours and connect important employment and education centres.
The University services will help students travelling to colleges such as Hindu College, Ramjas College, Daulat Ram College, Shri Ram College, Lady Shri Ram College (LSR), Gargi College, ARSD College and Hansraj College.
How will these Buses Benefit Women?
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the expansion of electric buses and women-only services is aimed at making public transport cleaner, safer and more convenient for people in the capital. Sandhu said the new initiatives would help strengthen Delhi's clean and sustainable public transport system while also contributing to a reduction in vehicle pollution.
Delhi Government's Initiative Towards Women Safety
Women-only buses will have women police personnel and Home Guard marshals on board and will be operated by women staff. Panic buttons installed in the buses have also been linked to the Delhi Police 112 PCR emergency response system for quick assistance. The latest measures follow directions given by the LG during women's safety review meetings held on June 3 and June 16. Delhi had earlier added 500 electric buses in February, 300 in March, 200 in April and 300 in July, further expanding the city's electric public transport network.