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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi CM flags off 105 DEVI e-buses; AAP protests vehicle's new ‘saffron' colour over ‘Hindu' sentiments
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.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta flags off 105 new DEVI e-buses, inaugurates Narela depot
NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off 105 new orange-coloured electric buses under the DEVI (Delhi EV Inter-connector) scheme and inaugurated a newly constructed bus depot in Narela, calling the developments a step towards cleaner and more efficient public transport in the capital. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking at the event, Gupta said the Sector A9 depot was completed within 90 days and described it as a reflection of the BJP government's commitment to delivering on promises made to Delhi's residents. She also used the occasion to criticise the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of mismanaging the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and fostering corruption. 'Buses are Delhi's lifeline. But under the previous government, routes were cut, buses reduced, and corruption seeped in,' she said. Citing a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Ms Gupta claimed that DTC had suffered losses amounting to Rs 65,000 crore during the earlier regime. She further alleged that the free bus ride scheme for women had been plagued by corruption, and added that panic buttons in older buses were 'installed just for show'. Gupta highlighted several features of the new nine-metre-long electric buses, which include air conditioning, panic buttons, and real-time monitoring systems. She defended the government's recent shift from paper tickets to smart cards, saying, 'When we removed paper tickets and moved to cards, AAP spread lies that women would no longer travel for free. But the move was only to curb corruption.' Delhi transport minister Pankaj Singh, who was also present, accused the previous government of delaying the rollout of better public transport. 'These buses should have arrived by last monsoon, but the former government failed to deliver. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Today, the BJP is fulfilling that promise,' he said. He added that while earlier DEVI buses were green, this is the first time an entire fleet of orange-coloured electric buses has been introduced. 'This adds more vibrancy, and we will continue increasing their numbers, as we have been doing since the launch of the DEVI buses,' Singh said. Delhi BJP leader Yogender Chandolia rejected AAP's claim that the initiative was merely a rebranding effort. 'If these were AAP's buses, they would have been on the roads months ago. These are new buses, purchased and brought in under the BJP. AAP never procured small electric buses – they reused old ones,' he said. Chandolia also pointed out that the compact design of the new buses, with seating for 23 and standing room for 17 passengers, made them suitable for navigating Delhi's narrower roads. 'This is the real Rekha Gupta Model – clean, modern, and efficient public transport,' he said. Currently, Delhi operates around 2,000 electric buses. Transport department officials said that the number is expected to rise further, with a target of 100% electrification of the bus fleet by 2027.
