Delhi CM flags off 105 DEVI e-buses; AAP protests vehicle's new ‘saffron' colour over ‘Hindu' sentiments

Indian Express

8 hours ago

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off 105 new orange-coloured mini DEVI (Delhi EV Inter-connector) buses while also inaugurating a newly-constructed DTC bus depot at Narela's Sector A9.
Addressing mediapersons, Gupta said, 'We had promised to modernise every bus depot and terminal in Delhi and construct new ones to ensure seamless, safe, and widespread transport access. Today's terminal and DEVI buses stand testimony to that commitment.' She claimed that the depot was completed in just 90 days, adding that it is reflective of the government's efficiency.
Sharing key features of the new terminal, the CM said it is built on 4,000 sqm of land, includes parking for buses, a new pass section, staff and passenger canteens, medical facilities, clean toilets, RO water plant, pantry, and EV charging stations.
Designed as a modern public transport hub, the bus depot has three dedicated bus bays and two high-tech sheds – 34 m and 40 m in length. Built at a cost of Rs 2.63 crore, the terminal will operate 75 buses on 9 major routes, most of which will be electric. These buses will connect areas like Old Delhi Railway Station, Mori Gate, Delhi Secretariat, Uttam Nagar, and border regions of the Capital.
Gupta said the low-floor, AC, wheelchair-friendly buses are equipped with panic buttons, CCTV cameras, and real-time tracking features. At 9-m long, these e-buses are specially designed for last-mile connectivity.
Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said the earlier DEVI buses were green in colour, and this is the first time an entire fleet of orange-coloured buses has been introduced.
Taking a dig at AAP, the CM said, 'As per the CAG report, DTC currently suffers a loss of over Rs 65,000 crore – equivalent to 65% of Delhi's total budget… While Delhi once had 850 bus routes, the number was cut in half, while operating costs doubled. Massive scams occurred in ticketing and women's free travel due to a lack of transparent systems.'
She also accused the previous government of irregularities in the installation of panic buttons, CCTVs, as well as in staff training and recruitment. She claimed that in the previous regime, routes were reduced, while per-kilometre costs were inflated and thousands of DTC employees were rendered jobless.
'The previous governments were more focused on profit than performance. For the first time, the Capital has a government that values work over money,' Gupta claimed.
The AAP, meanwhile, citing the saffron colour of the DEVI buses, hit out at the BJP, accusing it of 'hurting Hindu sentiments'.
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj said the move would desecrate faith, as buses stained with spit, paan, and vomit cannot be linked to religious symbols.
Addressing the media, Bharadwaj said that public spaces are no place for such tokenism. 'If CM Rekha Gupta is so fond of saffron, she should wear saffron clothes every day; we would be happy. She can get all the walls of her office painted saffron, we have no objection. She can even paint all the rooms in her house saffron, and we won't mind.'
'All these DEVI buses were originally mohalla buses. The BJP first renamed them as 'DEVI' and is now going to change their colour to saffron. As a Hindu, I find this decision objectionable,' Bharadwaj said. He added that the buses should not have been renamed DEVI, considering that people board them wearing shoes and slippers.