New Delhi, March 20 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched 300 electric buses, bringing the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)'s fleet strength to 6,100.
Gupta said her government is continuously working to reduce the losses of the DTC and improve public transport services.
"We will convert the entire DTC fleet into electric vehicles (EV) buses. The Delhi government is working towards last-mile connectivity. The government is also releasing the EV subsidy amount, which has been pending for several years," she said.
These initiatives are important steps towards building a public transport system that is clean, affordable, safe, and future-ready, she added.
"The corporation, which was previously running at a significant loss, is now gradually moving towards financial stability due to sustained efforts by the government. Delhi has the largest fleet of electric buses in the country," Gupta said.
Efforts are underway to revamp the entire transport infrastructure of the national capital, including the expansion of EV charging facilities, she added.
The Delhi government also launched an interstate bus between Delhi and Ghaziabad.
"The route, which covers a distance of about 21 kilometers, will connect key locations including Bhajanpura, Loni Road, the UP border, Pasonda, Hindon Airport and Mohan Nagar," a statement said.
Initially, three interstate electric buses will operate on a pilot basis, running 12 trips daily in both directions. The service will be available from 7.15 am to 10.10 pm, with a maximum fare capped at Rs 53, offering an affordable and convenient travel option for thousands of daily commuters, it added.
Attacking the previous Aam Aadmi Party government, Gupta said it only made promises and publicity, but did no work.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said that the current government has reviewed and streamlined the process, ensuring that EV subsidies are directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
In the first phase, over Rs 24.04 crore is being disbursed to 12,877 beneficiaries, while pending cases will be cleared in phases, he added.