PM flags off 200 e-buses for Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday flagged off 200 electric buses in Delhi, marking a significant step in the Capital's push toward sustainable urban mobility. The new fleet is part of the Delhi government's 'DEVI' initiative, aimed at enhancing last-mile connectivity while curbing air pollution.
The launch, held on World Environment Day, was attended by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena, and Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, among others.
'Building a clean and green Delhi! Flagged off electric buses under an initiative of the Delhi government aimed at boosting sustainable development and clean urban mobility. Additionally, this will also improve 'ease of living' for the people of Delhi,' PM Modi said in a post on X.
'Heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for his inspiring words and visionary leadership. Your encouragement for Delhi's efforts in promoting electric mobility strengthens our resolve to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable capital. Under your guidance, we remain committed to creating a future-ready Delhi that reflects the spirit of a Viksit Bharat — where progress and environmental responsibility go hand in hand,' CM Rekha Gupta said in a post on X.
The 9-metre-long DEVI buses are designed to navigate Delhi's narrow, congested lanes and connect interior neighbourhoods with major arterial roads. Each bus seats 23 passengers (with six seats reserved for women), and has standing space for 13 more.
Equipped with GPS tracking, CCTV cameras, panic buttons, voice announcements, and ramps for the differently abled, the buses aim to bring safer and more inclusive transit to underserved parts of the city. Powered by six battery packs with a combined capacity of 196kW, the buses offer a range of over 200 km and can be recharged in just 45 minutes through opportunity charging.
On May 2, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta had flagged off around 400 DEVI buses alongside Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. At the launch event, she had said that the expansion of Delhi's bus fleet with electric buses complements the city's broader effort to reduce vehicular emissions, which account for nearly 45% of its air pollution. She had also reiterated Delhi's plan to shift its entire public transport network to electric by the end of 2025.
An official added that the DEVI buses would particularly benefit neighbourhoods that larger buses cannot access, helping make public transport more inclusive and efficient for all.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said the Delhi government will set up 7,000 smart classrooms in its schools by the end of the year. She added that 175 digital libraries and 100 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said the Delhi government will set up 7,000 smart classrooms in its schools by the end of the year. She added that 175 digital libraries and 100 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Language Labs offering foreign language instruction in English, French, and German will also be made operational in the Delhi government-run schools. The CM made the announcements following a meeting she chaired with the principals of Delhi government schools in her Assembly constituency of Shalimar Bagh. 'Intimidating parents' In a social media post later in the day, she spoke about the 'alarming reports of schools employing bouncers to intimidate parents and students'. 'Education is a right, not a business. Our children deserve compassion, not coercion. Schools must remain spaces of learning, values, and nation-building,' the CM said. Her comments come a day after the Delhi High Court expressed dismay at the 'reprehensible practice' by Delhi Public School, Dwarka, of allegedly hiring bouncers to block the entry of the students who had not paid the increased fee. Ms. Gupta hit out at the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for engaging in 'propaganda about improving education' while 'failing to provide' basic education infrastructure despite being in power for 11 years, citing the state of a government school in her constituency's Haiderpur village. 'The area neither has an English-medium school nor a higher secondary school where science is taught,' she said. The CM added, 'Their much-celebrated school buildings were structurally weak — one built in 2018 deteriorated within just two years. This exposes their 'education model' and shows that it was merely a facade.' She said that many government schools lack proper sports grounds, face hygiene and security issues, and suffer from acute staff shortages. 'Ad hoc hirings' 'Many still do not have full-time principals and are run on ad hoc arrangements,' said Ms. Gupta. 'We are ensuring recruitment for all vacant positions, appointment of permanent principals, and deployment of adequate security and sanitation employees in our schools,' said the CM. She also criticised the Delhi Board of School Education, which was started by the previous AAP government, saying, 'This parallel board could pose issues for students seeking college admissions and may affect the recognition of their certificates in India and abroad. Such decisions [to create a new board] endanger the future of our children.' Ms. Gupta also inaugurated a water cooler at a school in Shalimar Bagh and said that plans are being made to instal such machines in all the nearly 1,000 schools run by the Delhi government as well as in other parts of the city. AAP did not issue any response to the allegations levelled by the CM.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Canadian thaw! Mark Carney invites PM Modi for G7 meet
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that he will be attending the G7 Summit later this month in Canada following a phone call from newly elected PM Mark Carney , signalling an improvement in bilateral ties following the changing of the guard in the North American country. The summit will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15-17. It will be Modi's maiden engagement abroad since Operation Sindoor, presenting him with an opportunity to highlight the menace of cross-border terrorism at a global forum. In a post on X, Modi wrote, "Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month." He added India and Canada, as "vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties", would work together "with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests". The visit is expected to mark the beginning of improvement in ties, which were hit by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's "pro-Khalistan policies", said experts. During the summit, Modi could meet other G7 leaders - from the US, UK, France, Italy, Japan and Germany - including US President Donald Trump. This year's summit is especially significant as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the G7. ET had reported in April that India was planning to restore ties with Canada at the level of high commissioner months after withdrawing its envoy over the " Khalistan extremism " issue, with seasoned Indian diplomat Dinesh Patnaik being considered for the post. Patnaik, currently India's envoy to Spain may be appointed as India's next envoy to Ottawa, according to people in the know.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mirwaiz urges PM Modi to bridge ‘dil ki doori' by releasing Kashmiri prisoners, Mufti echoes him
SRINAGAR: Bridging the 'dil ki doori' (distance between hearts) between Delhi and Srinagar by freeing Kashmiri prisoners is as crucial to establishing a connection as opening the Valley's first rail link with the rest of the country, J&K's chief cleric and separatist Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said Friday after PM Narendra Modi flagged off the inaugural Vande Bharat Express train from Katra station. 'If the PM truly seeks to close the gap, as he often mentions in his speeches, then humanitarian steps are the real way forward. Train links are welcome, but it is the human links that matter and endure,' Mirwaiz told an Eid-ul-Adha congregation at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. He said the festival doesn't bring any joy to thousands of families in J&K whose sons, husbands, fathers and brothers had been incarcerated for years, many allegedly without a trial, in jails within and outside J&K. 'With each passing day, more of our youth are detained,' he said. 'All such prisoners, including politicians, remain in the prayers and thoughts of the people of Kashmir.' PDP chief and ex-CM Mehbooba Mufti said now that J&K's long-awaited rail link had become a reality, it was time for PM Modi to 'show statesmanship and compassion, especially towards those languishing in jails across India without serious charges'. Mehbooba urged him to consider releasing Kashmiri youth 'jailed on mere suspicion' after the April 22 terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. 'The collective condemnation of the incident by people across the political spectrum reflects our shared rejection of violence…Let this Eid be a moment of healing and reconciliation,' she said.
