Govt will buy 1,000 buses to serve outer Delhi areas

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved a tender for purchase of 1,000 non-AC, standard floor cluster buses to serve the city’s outlying areas, Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. Mr Sisodia said that the buses would cater mainly to outer Delhi and rural areas. The government has also decided to offer free pilgrimage trips every year to 77,000 city residents aged over 60 years. The decisions were taken at the Cabinet meeting.

The buses are expected to start arriving by August and all buses will be delivered by year-end, he added. Transport minister Kailash Gahlot also tweeted: “Delhi Cabinet approves tender for purchase of 1,000 cluster buses which will cater to rural villages of Delhi.”

The buses will be non air-conditioned and standard floor. “It is proposed to add 100 buses in Rewla Khanpur Depot, 250 buses in Dwarka Sector 22, 120 buses in Kharkhari Nahar, 90 buses in Bawana Sector 1, 160 buses in Rani Khera-I, 140 buses each in Rani Khera-II & Rani Khera-III. It is estimated to have these buses on roads within a maximum period of eight months,” a Delhi Government statement said. The Cabinet also approved the Directorate of Education proposal to support school students for excellence in sports in Under 14 and Under 17 categories.

The Delhi government will provide financial assistance to eligible students upto Rs 2 lakh per year in under 14 category and Rs 3 lakh in Under 17 category. “Those preparing to compete in national and international sporting events will be eligible to avail this scheme,” the statement added.

The cabinet also approved the Directorate of Education proposal to allow art, culture and dance trainings in its schools.