The Delhi Transport Corporation on Monday approved bids for 300 low-floor air-conditioned e-buses as part of steps taken by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has underlined his government’s desire to switch public transport to electric mode.
Delhi’s Transport and Environment Minister Kailash Gahlot shared the news of the buses on his Twitter handle. Gahlot said 300 electric buses have been approved by the cabinet, the buses will start arriving from October.
On Switch Delhi campaign, Kejriwal said his government will defeat pollution in the city with the efforts of the people and the government. He said EV Policy in the city will set a precedent for the world.
The 300 low-floor air-conditioned buses are expected to be equipped with the latest technology with the features like real-time passenger information system (RTPIS) which will track exact locations of buses in real time, CCTVs, panic buttons, GPS and other facilities. The buses will have features to promote the physically challenged use public transport.
Gahlot, who chaired the board meeting, said the decision comes after a few months of successfully launching the Delhi EV Policy. He said with the arrival of these 300 electric buses, Delhi will take its first huge leap to its dream of fully electric public transport in the city, he said.
Earlier, on February 25, Gahlot said Delhi government’s commitment to switch all its vehicles to Electric in 6 months is unprecedented globally. As the nodal dept, Transport department will leave no stone unturned to ensure a smooth transition to shift people to EV.
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The Delhi EV policy, announced in August last year, aims that 25% of all new vehicle registrations should be Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) by 2024. The Delhi CM stated that his government will soon float a tender to set up the first 100 charging stations across Delhi.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on February 4 launched Switch Delhi campaign. Under the campaign, awareness will be created about the benefits of electric vehicles and how it can contribute to making Delhi clean and pollution-free.