New Delhi: The capital’s public bus fleet is set to cross the 7,000 mark on Oct 14, with Delhi govt likely to induct 200 electric buses under the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan, launched to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 25 years in public service. The addition will expand the city’s public transport capacity as govt looks to modernise its bus network and curb vehicular emissions.“The new buses will include both 12-metre and nine-metre models to cater to commuters across the city. Their induction will strengthen Delhi Transport Corporation’s electric bus fleet. Govt is working to make public transport more accessible, and adding more buses is a step in that direction,” an official said.The fully electric buses will be low-floor and air-conditioned, with CCTV cameras, panic buttons, real-time vehicle tracking systems and accessibility features for persons with disabilities.Delhi has set a target of expanding its bus fleet to nearly 14,000 by 2028-29, with the long-term plan aimed at encouraging more commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transport.The flag-off ceremony has been scheduled for Oct 14 as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan, which runs from Sept 17 to Oct 17, an official said. The induction is among the initiatives planned under the campaign to improve urban mobility and strengthen the capital’s public transport infrastructure.At present, DTC operates around 6,840 buses across 52 depots, including 5,088 electric buses and 1,752 CNG buses. The network caters to around 40 lakh passengers on a normal day, highlighting the scale of demand for bus services in the city.
