Delhi To Launch 150 Electric Buses Next Month

The Delhi government will launch 150 electric buses next month as it expands the city’s zero-emission public transport network and works to create additional depot and charging capacity. According to Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, the government has approached the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for land at several locations to support the required infrastructure, PTI reported.

"The Delhi government is developing bus depots and charging infrastructure in a coordinated manner, with every site closely monitored, so that new electric buses can be deployed without delay. Our aim is a clean and green Delhi, and the infrastructure will be built as per requirement and in harmony with the environment," Singh was quoted as saying in a statement.

The government’s focus is not limited to adding buses, with depot capacity and charging facilities being the key requirement for supporting the expansion of the electric fleet.

Delhi is also developing two new bus depots at Daurala and Jhuljhuli. The Daurala depot will have capacity for 250 buses, while the Jhuljhuli facility will accommodate up to 500 buses, according to the minister.

The two facilities are expected to serve a significant number of passengers from rural areas, Singh said.

The timeline for the launch of the 150 electric buses has not yet been finalised. However, a government official said the vehicles are ready and could be introduced at any point next month, the PTI report added.

To create additional space for bus depots and charging infrastructure, the government has sought land at five locations: Tikri Kalan village near the PVC market, Jaunti village, Mungeshpur village, Bakkarwala and Gazipur Mandi.

The availability of suitable land will be important as Delhi expands its electric bus fleet, given the need for dedicated parking, charging and operational facilities alongside the vehicles themselves.

The government is also using land made available through the Directorate of Panchayat. The department has allocated land to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the transport department for the development of bus depots and charging infrastructure.