Delhi govt launches overhaul of public transport network
Delhi Transport Corporation
(DTC), upgrading bus infrastructure and improving route planning.
According to PTI, at a meeting with senior officials of the Transport Department, the chief minister said the administration is working towards building a sustainable and inclusive transport network.
Route rationalisation and smart travel card
Backed by the expertise of
IIT Delhi
, the government is rationalising bus routes across the city to improve connectivity in underserved areas and integrate them with the Delhi Metro and the upcoming Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). A pilot restructuring plan is set to begin in Yamuna Vihar.
The chief minister also reviewed plans for a unified smart travel card that would allow travel across DTC buses, the Metro and RRTS. A 'Pink Card' scheme is also being introduced to allow free travel for women and transgender commuters on DTC buses. Discussions with banks are ongoing for implementation.
Despite the existing fleet of 4,800 electric buses—comprising 660 small and 1,800 large e-buses—alongside 1,800 CNG buses, many continue to operate on outdated routes. Rationalising these routes is part of the broader effort to improve last-mile connectivity.
Infrastructure upgrades and integration with Centre
Of Delhi's 4,627 bus queue shelters (BQS), only 2,021 are currently operational. The government is upgrading the shelters with new designs under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, adding solar panels, digital boards, LED lighting and real-time arrival displays.
Inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs) including Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan are also being redeveloped. Plans include upgraded amenities and improved infrastructure to enhance commuter access and safety.
The chief minister noted that the transport overhaul is being conducted in coordination with the central government and supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'We are determined to give Delhi citizens a travel experience that is safe, smart and sustainable,' she said.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said DTC is being restructured to become a revenue-surplus and efficient organisation. All future bus stop construction will follow the new rationalisation model. Upgrades to depots and terminals are also underway to support the electric fleet and improve working conditions for staff.
The DEVI mini electric bus service, currently operating in densely populated areas, has received a strong public response and is contributing to last-mile connectivity, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Delhi govt has earmarked 700cr for slum areas: CM
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta announced on Monday that her govt has allocated Rs 700 crore in the budget for the development of slum settlements. "Whenever slums need to be removed for any reason, arrangements are being made to provide houses to the eligible residents so that they can be true citizens of the national capital," she said. Gupta said that slum dwellers should not be misled by AAP, as during that party's rule they merely saw slum residents as vote banks and encouraged the supply of alcohol to these areas. "Now that the current govt is working on development schemes for the slum communities, these functionaries are trying to incite unrest and mislead the residents," she said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The chief minister said this while visiting a slum camp — Faatak Wali Jhuggi — near the railway crossing in Shalimar Bagh on Sunday morning. The railways have issued a notice for the removal of this slum settlement, as it is on railway land. The railways are expanding the Azadpur railway station. Gupta said that a survey of this slum area was conducted in 2020, but the then Aam Aadmi Party govt neither took any decisions, nor held talks with the railways. "But we have now begun working on a plan for you, so that you do not face any hardship," she said. "When a crisis came upon you, I came to meet you because Delhi govt is not in favour of removing slums without a reason," the chief minister said. She added that if slums have to be removed for the sake of development projects or any other legitimate reasons, govt will ensure rehabilitation for the eligible residents so that they too can become a part of Delhi's growth story. She said that she would speak to the ministry of railways and make arrangements for housing for the residents of this area. "You will get complete justice. Delhi govt is fully committed to this," she said, adding that there was no need to panic. The chief minister also criticised the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party govts, stating that in the past 40 years, no development has taken place in Delhi's slums. "These parties have only seen slum dwellers as voters and have constantly tried to exploit them," she said. Gupta also said that the AAP functionaries were making baseless allegations that Delhi govt is focused on removing slum dwellers. "But let me tell them that govt has allocated a budget of Rs 700 crore for the development of slum settlements," she said. The objective is clear: our govt is consistently working towards the development of slum settlements. Roads, lanes and pavements are being constructed in these areas. Arrangement for clean drinking water is being made. Toilets and bathing facilities are being set up for women, she said. Gupta said that AAP was trying to intimidate slum dwellers. However, during their tenure, these functionaries attempted to turn slum residents into alcoholics and made no plans for their development, "whereas we are carrying out genuine and meaningful development", she said.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Gujarat approves action plan for Artificial Intelligence implementation in governance
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the Action Plan for Implementation of Artificial Intelligence [AI] (2025–2030), setting the stage for the integration of AI into Gujarat's governance framework over the next five years. The plan aims to improve service delivery, strengthen administrative processes, and apply AI tools in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance. This move aligns with the broader goals of Viksit Gujarat@2047 and the national mission of Viksit Bharat@2047, officials said. Prepared by the Department of Science and Technology based on recommendations from a 10-member AI Taskforce Committee, the plan will serve as a roadmap to equip government departments with AI systems and capabilities. It also supports the Centre's broader objective, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to expand the use of artificial intelligence in public policy, administration, and digital infrastructure. The State's action plan focuses on six major areas: building a secure and regulation-compliant data ecosystem; expanding GPU and cloud-based digital infrastructure, including setting up AI factories in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities; training 2.5 lakh individuals—students, MSMEs, and government officials—in AI, machine learning, and related technologies; promoting research and partnerships between academia and industry for building practical government-use AI models; supporting DeepTech startups with incubation, mentorship, and funding; and ensuring safe and responsible AI through audit systems, guidelines, and risk protocols. Implementation will be carried out in phases, starting with the creation of a State-level AI data repository, setting up AI development facilities, and launching pilot projects in selected departments. To oversee the entire effort, the Government will establish a dedicated AI and Deep Tech Mission. This institutional mechanism will lead the design, planning, and monitoring of AI projects while facilitating collaboration between academic institutions, industry players, and startups. Gujarat has already taken steps to strengthen its AI foundation, including the launch of an AI Centre of Excellence at GIFT City, the organisation of AI training programmes for public officials, and the issuance of an Expression of Interest for developing Indian language-based AI models. The state has also conducted an AI Innovation Challenge to encourage practical solutions.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
RRU helps set tune in martial music's Indian homecoming
1 2 3 Ahmedabad: The next time you see the armed forces on a parade ground, chances are high that you might hear 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja,' the anthem of the Indian National Army, instead of 'Colonel Bogey March' from 1914. Marking a cultural shift, the armed forces bands in 2022 embraced 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo' during the Beating Retreat ceremony at Kartavya Path instead of the traditional 'Abide with Me'. Aiming to take the initiative further is the newly inaugurated School of NCC and Police Martial Music Band (SNPMMB) at Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU). At the RRU school, officials aim to train the state police and central armed police forces (CAPFs) in newly created Indian tunes and compose new ones to 'Indianize martial music. ' This is the first such school in a university setting in the country. Until now, bands in uniformed services were traditionally trained at special colleges and training schools. Senior RRU officials say the inspiration is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make the music of India 'not merely entertainment, but a vehicle for expression, connection, and identity'. The initiatives started in 2016 with the use of Indian tunes on major occasions, they added. Major (Retd) Ashok Kumar, principal of the school and former director of music at the Joint Services Training Institute, AEC Training College & Centre, Pachmarhi — which trains musicians for the armed forces — says that military bands are traditionally taught tunes that have been part of military tradition for over a century. "We have over 200 such tunes which are used for different functions and ceremonies. In the past decade or so, Indian experts have been creating several notations and tunes that are rooted in our culture. Our aim would be to both create new tunes for the bands of CAPF and police forces and to teach the newly created Indian tunes to these bands," says Major Kumar. Some examples of such tunes include 'Veer Bharat' and 'Amar Senani', composed by Indian military musicians. These are now played regularly at various state and armed forces events. 'INS Vikrant,' 'Veer Bharat,' 'Desh Pukare,' 'Vayu Shakti,' 'Hindustan,' and 'Priyadarshini' are some more examples that reflect a rich Indian voice. Renjith G, senior instructor at SNPMMB, says the school is attempting to go a step further and create Indian raga and taal-based music in a global musical language. "Our initiative is to create original Indian tunes rooted in the country's rich musical heritage and legacy," he adds. Dr Gaurav Singh Kushwah, in-charge director of the school, calls Indianizing martial music tradition in India a major initiative. "Our aim is to teach Indian tunes primarily to CAPF and state police bands. We aim to provide trained musicians to security forces who will learn the Indian tunes and notations," he says. The first batch of 40 musicians from Rajasthan Police Central Band is already being trained at the university. RRU officials say that the courses are designed both for in-service musicians and aspiring candidates at multiple levels – from diploma to PhD. Students will be taught Indian and Western musical systems, orchestration, band drill protocols, ceremonial etiquette, and theoretical training. The first initiative for the overhaul will be the formation of the National Music Classification Forum that will attempt to find Indian alternatives for Western bugle calls like Reveille, Last Post, and Retreat.
