Delhi to Introduce Over 1,000 Electric Buses as Part of Sustainable Transport Initiative

Delhi will be getting more than 1,000 electric buses this month, a major move towards a better public transport system of the city and sustainability. The Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh made the announcement, which will help overcome the problems of the city's transport sector, losing Rs 235 crore annually.

The launch of these electric buses is an initiative under a wider campaign to make the public transport system of Delhi more convenient, accessible, and green. Singh focused on the importance of moving away from personal cars and towards public means. It is an initiative under a wider campaign to develop the transportation infrastructure and decrease the dependence on fossil fuels in the city.

The new electric buses will influence the economy as well as the environment in a positive manner. Since they are going to be zero-emission enabled, electric buses are also considered to be a key element of the government's initiative in combating air pollution in Delhi, which has over time been an overarching concern. The buses will also help the city realize its vision for an environmentally friendly and sustainable transport sector.

Singh pointed out that the government is working on a recovery plan for the transport industry and its intent to make it profitable within a period of one year. Despite the industry being financially struggling at the moment, the launch of electric buses would be included as part of the recovery plan. The plan encompasses not just additional electric buses but a whole package of reforms and changes aimed at making the public transport more efficient and customer-friendly.

Delhi will see incremental development in its transport infrastructure in the coming months. The government will concentrate on short-term changes for the first phase of the plan that solve immediate problems. Phase two will see bigger projects to get public transport to operate more efficiently, be more accessible, and be more appealing to the people.

The emphasis on electric buses is a major component of the government plan to transform Delhi's transport system. Singh admitted that the city does not yet possess sufficient electric buses and assured bringing in more in the immediate future. The induction of more than 1,000 electric buses this month is most likely to considerably augment the public transport system and offer a cleaner and greener option to conventional buses run on diesel or CNG.

Introduction of electric buses is not only in the way to improve the lifestyle of Delhi residents but is also in harmony with the environmental policy of the city. The government's initiatives to make transport public and eco-friendly are perfectly connected with the overall efforts to reduce air pollution as well as address climate change. Electric transport, such as electric buses, has been considered a central approach in this regard.

This move also coincides with the time when Delhi's 2020 Electric Vehicle (EV) policy has been repeatedly extended. The policy had expired in August 2024 and has now been extended until March 31, 2025. This extension also involves the revival of subsidies and concession on road tax for electric vehicles bought after January 1, 2024. This is news intended to further push the adoption of electric vehicles throughout the city.

The last government had set up a committee to study the reason for fire accidents in Delhi state-run electric and CNG buses. The committee was formed with the assistance of IIT Delhi experts and was entrusted with analyzing the contribution of bus maintenance to such accidents. But the present government is concerned about developing the transport system of Delhi and not with looking into past issues.

Minister Singh emphasized that the BJP government is committed to strengthening the transportation system for the betterment of Delhi citizens. The government is laboring on the optimization of efficiency, environmental friendliness, and accessibility for all of the citizens. With the inclusion of electric buses and other focused reforms, the government seeks to enhance public transport as a preferable and reliable option for Delhi citizens.

The arrival of more than 1,000 electric buses this month represents a major milestone in Delhi’s ongoing efforts to create a modern, sustainable, and efficient public transport system. The government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and improving the quality of life for Delhi residents is expected to have a lasting impact on the city’s transport landscape.

Source: PTI