Kejriwal flags off 150 electric AC buses with CCTV cameras
3 days free ride for everyone in these buses, announces Delhi CM
With the aim to fight the pollution in the national capital, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday flagged off 150 electric buses and took a ride in one of them.
The chief minister flagged off the buses from the Indraprastha Depot and boarded one of them to reach the Rajghat Bus Depot. He was accompanied by Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot and chief secretary Naresh Kumar.
The induction of 150 electric buses equipped with state-of-art features, including CCTV cameras, panic button and GPS, into the DTC’s fleet on Tuesday has come after almost 11 years when the public transporter procured buses on such a large number.
The Delhi government is also offering three days free bus ride to everyone in these electric buses to promote the switch towards electric vehicles. Kejriwal said that the city residents can enjoy free rides in these buses for the next three days. “They are your buses, I urge you to travel and enjoy – to take a joyride on these electric buses, while also taking care by not littering or damaging them,” he said.
“This launch has marked the beginning of a new era
in the transport sector and next month another 150 will be added to the fleet. It is our target to have 2,000 electric buses running on the roads in Delhi within the next one year,” said Kejriwal.
“The Delhi government is planning to spend a total of `1,862 crores on this project over the next 10 years, while receiving 150 crores from the Central government for which we are grateful. In addition, three new EV charging depots have been inaugurated today, which cost around `150 crores. Many new such depots are being built as well to match the number of new electric buses we aim to introduce,” said the CM.
According to officials, recently the Delhi Transport Department also finalised the bid for 330 electric buses, which will be included within six months.
“By the end of the year, DTC will induct 1,500 electric buses in its fleet after which commuting will become even easier and more comfortable for Delhiites. An official said 12 e-bus depots are also being built for these 1,500 e-buses, the work of which will be completed in the next one year.
In its fight with the pollution, the Delhi government has also started the #IrideEbus Campaign to promote maximum adoption of electric buses by city residents. The government has also organised a public contest which shall go on till June 30 to promote its e-buses and encourage more people to travel, experience these buses and spread the word.
Kicking off the campaign, Kejriwal tweeted: “Delhi has written a new chapter in its fight against pollution today. From today, 150 electric AC buses have started running on the roads of Delhi. I also travelled in the bus, and experienced its modern facilities. Everyone must also travel once in Delhi’s luxurious electric buses. #IrideEbus.”