Delhi govt approves Rs 107-crore e-bus charging project for 4 Dwarka depots

Indian Express

07-05-2025

As the Delhi government plans to operate only electric buses for public transport in the national capital, its transport department has approved a charging infrastructure project for four bus depots in Dwarka.
With an estimated cost of Rs 107 crore, the project is expected to be completed within 18 months, aiming to support the growing fleet of e-buses and promote sustainable urban mobility.
According to officials, the power infrastructure will be set up by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited at Cluster Depot I, Cluster Depot II in Sector 22, ISBT in Sector 22, and DTC Depot in Sector 8 in Dwarka, exclusively for electric buses.
'The Delhi government has decided to replace the existing fleet of CNG buses of DTC and the cluster scheme with electric buses in a phased manner. Charging infrastructure is required to charge electric buses being introduced by the transport department. The proposal has also been approved by EFC (Expenditure Finance Committee) for sanction,' said a senior official.
Officials said that as per guidelines of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Committee, it is the responsibility of the respective discoms to provide electric connection up to the metering point at bus depots. 'BSES Rajdhani Power Limited will finalise vendors to carry out civil works of the grid and to supply electrical equipment and cables to establish the grid,' said an official.
Officials said the government is keen on having financially viable, long-lasting and permanent charging infrastructure. 'The transport department has also been advised to undertake a detailed study and to explore the best practices adopted in other countries having robust EV charging infrastructure. Now, after due deliberations and considering the recommendations from the department, the finance department has approved the project,' said an official.
The finance department has directed the transport department to complete the project at the sanctioned cost within the stipulated period. No cost escalation will be considered in future.
Officials said the work would be completed within 18 months from the receipt of payment by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited.
Around 7,000 public transport buses ply in Delhi and 1,600 of them are electric buses. On average, approximately 87 lakh passengers use the public transport system in the national capital daily–25.02 lakh on DTC buses, 16.39 lakh on cluster buses, and 46 lakh on Delhi Metro.