India, July 20 -- In a move towards achieving clean air, the Delhi government plans to induct 2800 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses in the next two years, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday. Gupta said the induction of these electric buses will also reinforce the government's goal of expanding the city's public bus fleet to nearly 14,000 buses by 2028-29. "This will enhance the availability of public transport while promoting clean energy-based mobility and making a significant contribution to improving the capital's air quality," she said. According to the chief minister, the government is aiming to rollout these modern buses from April next year. "The entire fleet is expected to be integrated into Delhi's public transport system by August 2028," Gupta said in a statement.
Of the total fleet, 1,400 buses will be 12 metres long and the remaining 1,400 will be 9 metres long. The 9 metre buses will be particularly useful on narrow roads and in rural areas, helping extend public transport beyond the main corridors and improving last-mile connectivity, she said. According to officials, government had submitted its requirement for 2,800 electric buses to Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) last year. "Based on operational experience with the Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) buses, the requirement was later revised and it was decided to procure an equal number of 12-metre and 9-metre buses. CESL adopted a nationwide competitive bidding process for the induction of all 2,800 buses, which will help ensure bus operations at competitive rates," the statement said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.