Delhi Chief Minister adds more wheels to public bus fleet
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) biggest bus terminus in north-west Delhi, in Narela Sector A-9, on Friday. She also flagged off 105 new Delhi Electric Vehicle interconnector (DEVi) buses at the depot.
She said that the transport hub will boost public transport in north-west Delhi by connecting it with several other public transport hubs in the city and termed it a 'testament to the Delhi government's commitment to strengthening public transport and building a cleaner, greener, and more connected Capital'.
Currently, over 2,000 electric buses are operational in Delhi, and the government is actively working towards achieving 100% electrification of the entire transport system by 2027, she said, adding that many of the new DEVi buses will be driven by women.
Ms. Gupta also attacked the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of corruption and of pushing the public transporter into huge losses.
'Buses are Delhi's lifeline. But under the previous government, routes were cut, buses reduced, and corruption was committed,' she said. Citing a Comptroller and Auditor General report, which was tabled in the Assembly in March this year, on the functioning of the DTC under AAP's tenure, the CM said that the public transporter's liabilities had bumped up from ₹28,263 crore in 2015-16 to ₹65,274 crore in 2021-22.
She alleged that the AAP government's 'pink tickets' scheme, which allowed women to travel on buses free of cost, was marred by corruption and that the panic buttons were installed 'just for show'.
The Opposition party did not issue a response to the allegations levelled by the CM.
Built in 90 days
In her address following the inauguration in Narela, the CM said, 'The depot was constructed in 90 days, reflecting the government's efficiency and dedication.'
She added that the 'modern transport hub', built for ₹2.63 crore and developed over 4,000 sqm of land, has a pantry, medical facilities, clean toilets, RO water plants, and EV charging stations, among other amenities.
'It will be a hub for 75 buses, most of which will be electric, connecting north-east Delhi with other transport hubs, such as the Old Delhi railway station and Mori Gate,' said Ms. Gupta.
The nine-metre low-floor, air-conditioned, wheelchair-friendly DEVi buses are equipped with panic buttons, CCTV cameras, and real-time tracking features.
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