NEW DELHI: In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as a global leader in sustainable urban transportation, Delhi’s Transport Minister, Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, has unveiled an ambitious initiative to transition the city’s public bus fleet to electric vehicles in a phased manner. This initiative is a key component of the government’s 100-day plan aimed at improving public transportation in Delhi.
Speaking on the initiative, Singh stated, “Delhi is taking a historic step toward clean and sustainable public transport. Our vision is to make Delhi the EV capital of India, and with this phase-wise transition, we are moving in the right direction.”
As part of this transition, starting in April, more than 1,000 electric buses of 9-meter and 12-meter configurations will be inducted into Delhi’s public transport fleet. To support these new buses, charging infrastructure is being set up and will soon be operational, ensuring seamless operations without any disruptions.
Additionally, the Transport Minister emphasised, “We are ensuring that this transition happens smoothly without causing inconvenience to commuters. Public transport remains our top priority, and we are dedicated to making it both reliable and sustainable.”
The government has also assured that the free bus ride scheme for women will continue uninterrupted, ensuring that affordability and accessibility remain unaffected by the shift to electric mobility. The broader vision remains to foster sustainable urban mobility, improve air quality, and enhance the efficiency of public transport services for Delhi’s citizens.
A source familiar with the matter informed The Sunday Guardian that during a meeting with transport department officials and electric bus manufacturers/operators, the Minister directed authorities to expedite all procedural formalities on a priority basis. Furthermore, he listened to the challenges faced by transporters and assured them of all possible support. He also urged manufacturers and operators to accelerate the supply of electric buses to ensure timely deployment.
The Transport Minister further highlighted that introducing electric buses will be complemented by several other measures to improve public transport, such as upgraded bus stands, enhanced passenger amenities, and innovative revenue generation models to strengthen DTC’s financial sustainability. Strategies are being developed to transform DTC into a profitable entity by the next financial year while maintaining world-class transport services for Delhi’s residents.
“By the next financial year, DTC will be a profitable organisation. Our focus is on revenue generation while ensuring world-class transport services for the people of Delhi,” the Minister added.
This transition, undertaken in accordance with the PM’s flagship Make in India programme, represents a significant move toward establishing Delhi as the Electric Vehicle (EV) capital of India. During a meeting with senior transport department officials and representatives from electric bus manufacturers and operators, the Transport Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising public transport and ensuring a smooth shift to electric mobility while maintaining efficient commuter services.
According to an official from the Transport Department, as part of this transformation, the government will also introduce 9-meter electric buses to serve rural and congested areas where larger buses are not feasible. These buses will ensure last-mile connectivity, improving accessibility in underserved regions. A structured roadmap for route rationalisation, developed in collaboration with the Transport Department, will ensure the smooth integration of electric buses into Delhi’s public transport network. The Minister issued strict directives to officials to ensure that buses complete their designated routes without any mid-route stoppages.
