CM Rekha flags off 500 electric buses, Delhi-Panipat bus service

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday flagged off around 500 electric buses and the Delhi-Panipat bus service to mark the BJP-led Government’s first year in office. The Capital’s total electric bus fleet is now over 4,000.

The flag-off by BJP National President Nitin Nabin and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked a significant milestone in Delhi’s move towards clean public transport and coincided with the first anniversary of the BJP government in the Capital.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the addition of 500 buses at one go was unprecedented in Delhi’s transport history. “With this induction, Delhi has become the state with the largest electric bus fleet in the country. This is a decisive step towards clean, modern, and accessible public transport,” she said. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Delhi-Panipat inter-state electric bus service, calling it a significant boost to regional connectivity and pollution-free travel.

BJP National President Nitin Nabin said the achievement reflected decisive and accountable governance under Gupta’s leadership. “For years, people saw announcements and hoardings but little change on the ground. In the last year, Delhi has seen visible, result-oriented governance with zero tolerance for corruption, digital transparency, and accountability,” he said, congratulating the Delhi government on completing one year in office.

The ceremony was attended by Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, Cabinet ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, Ravinder Indraj, and Kapil Mishra, along with MLAs and senior officials.

The Chief Minister said the government aims to expand the electric bus fleet to 7,500 by the end of 2026 and to 14,000 by 2028. She said the focus was not only on numbers but also on improving the commuter experience. “Assessment should be based on buses running on roads and better facilities for the common people, not just files,” she said.

Highlighting policy measures, the Chief Minister said a comprehensive electric vehicle policy would be introduced soon to promote clean fuel in transport. She added that while EV subsidies announced earlier were not disbursed, the present government has cleared payments worth `40 crore. Work is also underway on initiatives such as Pink Cards and Mobility Cards for women commuters.

Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said the induction of 500 buses would significantly strengthen Delhi’s public transport system. “This step will modernise DTC and move it firmly in a clean and sustainable direction,” he said.

He added that the new Delhi-Panipat e-bus service would offer a safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly travel option.

Delhi emerges as the state with the largest e-bus fleet in the country

New Delhi: Delhi has emerged as the state with the largest electric bus fleet in the country, overtaking Maharashtra after the induction of 500 new electric vehicles into the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet.

With the latest addition, the total number of electric buses operating in the national capital has reached 4,286, placing Delhi at the top of India’s e-bus chart.

The milestone was achieved after the new buses were flagged off at a ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan earlier this week. Maharashtra, which previously held the top position, now stands second with 4,001 electric buses. Other states trail at a considerable distance, with Karnataka operating 1,989 e-buses, followed by Gujarat with 1,041, Telangana with 875 and Uttar Pradesh with 874, according to official data.

The latest induction marks a significant push by the Delhi government towards clean and sustainable urban transport. Officials said the expansion of the electric bus fleet is aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, improving last-mile connectivity and strengthening the public transport system in a city that continues to battle high levels of air pollution.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi’s top ranking in electric bus deployment reflects the government’s sustained focus on green mobility.