New Delhi [India], June 27 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday inaugurated the Narela bus depot and flagged off 100 electric buses, which will operate on nine routes across the national capital.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to modernising the public transport system and affirmed the goal of revamping Delhi's bus services and "bringing them back on track."
"Today we have inaugurated the Narela Bus Depot and dedicated 100 Devi electric buses, which will operate on nine routes... These are equipped with excellent facilities...This depot was completed in just 3 months. Our goal is to transition Delhi's public transport system to an electric mode, update the transport system, and ensure minimal inconvenience to the public," the Chief Minister told reporters after the inauguration.
She was accompanied by Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yogendra Chandolia.
Earlier, BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia mentioned that the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government has kept rural areas in mind and has also contributed to helping save the environment with the newly inaugurated electric buses.
"Keeping the rural areas of Delhi in mind, the Rekha Gupta government of Delhi has established a DTC depot here, and 105 small buses will be dispatched from here. This is the Delhi government's contribution to saving Delhi's environment. These are electric buses, and women will travel for free on these buses. These small buses will address the problem of traffic jams," he said.
He also mentioned the goal of full electrification of buses while taking a shot at the Aam Aadmi Party for spreading lies and not doing work for the people of Delhi, "In the coming times, all buses in Delhi will be electric to improve Delhi's environment... They (Aam Aadmi Party) have nothing but lies; if they had worked on time, they would not be in the opposition today..."
On World Environment Day (June 5), CM Gupta had announced that 280 electric buses would be added to Delhi's fleet by 2027 as part of a comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) policy.
Speaking to ANI, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said earlier, "We have decided to give 280 electric buses to Delhi. By 2027, the whole fleet of buses provided by the Delhi government will be electric. We are also bringing in a new EV policy."
CM Gupta praised the new buses, calling them a tremendous asset for Delhi and highlighting their high comfort level and security features.