India, Aug. 20 -- Delhi on Wednesday expanded its green public transport network with the induction of 200 new electric buses, taking the city's electric bus fleet beyond the 5,000-mark. Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off the buses at the Delhi University Sports Complex while also launching the Delhi-Karnal interstate e-bus service, 56 Ladies Special bus services and a public EV charging station at DTC's Rajghat Depot-I. The newly inducted fleet comprises 88 12-metre and 112 nine-metre DEVI electric buses, taking Delhi's total bus fleet to around 6,800. The government aims to expand the fleet to nearly 14,000 buses by 2028-29. Also Read - 4 MCD councillors eye DDA Advisory Council Advertisement Five air-conditioned electric buses will operate on the Delhi-Karnal route, making 10 trips daily in each direction. The buses will connect Kashmere Gate with Karnal via Singhu Border, Rai, Bahalgarh, Murthal, Gannaur, Samalkha, Panipat, Gharaunda and Madhuban. To enhance women's safety, the government also launched 56 dedicated women-only e-bus services, including 30 Ladies Special and 26 University Ladies Special trips. The buses will operate during peak hours with women staff, women police personnel and Home Guards on board. Panic buttons on the buses have also been integrated with Delhi Police's 112 emergency response system. Also Read - Janakpuri gets 1st Atal Canteen A public EV charging station with four 240-kW chargers capable of charging buses, commercial EVs and electric cars was also inaugurated at Rajghat Depot-I. Addressing the event, Sandhu said, "Promoting connectivity and green mobility in Delhi in line with the vision of 'Gati Shakti' is an important step towards building a 'Viksit Delhi'." Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "The expansion of electric buses, interstate e-bus connectivity, dedicated bus services for women and public EV charging infrastructure are all steps towards building a Delhi where public transport is clean, smart and becomes the first choice for every citizen." Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said, "Concrete steps and better operations have helped DTC turn profitable this year," adding that the transport corporation's fleet would continue expanding over the next three years.

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