In a major push towards cleaner air and sustainable urban mobility, the Delhi government has proposed the induction of 3,330 additional electric buses into the capital’s public transport system. The move is part of an aggressive strategy to tackle rising air pollution and growing traffic congestion in the national capital.
The proposal has been submitted to the central government through the Transport Department, aiming to significantly expand Delhi’s electric bus fleet and strengthen last-mile connectivity across the city.
Strengthening Green Public Transport
Officials said the new fleet will include low-floor electric buses of varying sizes, including seven-metre buses designed to operate in narrow lanes and densely populated inner-city areas where conventional buses struggle to operate. This is expected to improve accessibility in residential colonies and underserved localities.
The remaining buses will consist of nine-metre and twelve-metre electric buses, planned for feeder routes, arterial roads, and high-density corridors. This diversified approach aims to match bus size with route demand and road conditions.
Coordination with the Centre
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that clean air and affordable public transport remain among the government’s top priorities. She said discussions with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL)—a central government agency—have paved the way for increasing Delhi’s bus quota under the PM E-Drive Scheme Phase II.
The Delhi government has also requested that these additional buses be included under the central subsidy framework. However, officials clarified that if technical or procedural hurdles delay subsidies, the Delhi government is prepared to bear the cost independently to avoid slowing down the project.
Reducing Dependence on Private Vehicles
With the expansion of the electric bus fleet, the government aims to encourage commuters to shift away from private vehicles. Officials believe this transition will help reduce vehicular emissions, ease traffic congestion, and significantly lower pollution levels in the city.
Ambitious Targets Ahead
The government’s roadmap targets over 5,000 electric buses on Delhi roads by March 2026, with plans to scale up the fleet to around 7,000 electric buses by the end of the year. Once completed, Delhi is expected to operate one of the largest electric bus fleets among Indian metropolitan cities.
At present, Delhi operates 5,336 government buses, along with 1,162 nine-metre DEVI buses. After the addition of buses approved under Phase I of the PM E-Drive scheme, the total bus count is expected to reach 10,430. With the proposed Phase II expansion, the fleet could grow to nearly 13,760 buses.
A Step Toward Cleaner Urban Living
Officials said the electric bus expansion is not just a transport upgrade but a critical step toward improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, and making public transport more accessible, affordable, and environment-friendly for millions of Delhi residents.
