Smog crisis: Govt plans to procure 500 e-buses

New Delhi: Grappling with the air pollution crisis in the city, the Delhi government has chalked out a short-term plan to procure 500 electric buses (e-buses), an official said on Wednesday.

These e-buses would not pollute the air. They would also boost the public transport services, a senior Delhi government official said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal pulled up senior officers, including the chief secretary, over delay in procurement of new buses.

Amid the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Delhi government has been facing flak from various quarters over “poor” public transport facilities.  

In a meeting with chief secretary M.M. Kutty and senior officers of all departments concerned, including transport and deputy CM Manish Sisodia, the chief minister expressed his displeasure over delay in procurement of buses.

“In the meeting, the chief minister expre-ssed deep displeasure and pulled up officers over delay in procurement of buses despite the fact the court had asked the city administration to maintain a fleet of at least 11,000 buses many years ago to boost public transport,” an official said.

The city has 5,594 buses operating under Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster scheme and new bus has been added to the fleet in last many years.

In a recent study by Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), it was found that the bus fleet ridership in Delhi has declined over the years as private vehicles keep on increasing on Delhi roads.

The official said the chief minister was “dissatisfied” with the progress of route rationalisation of buses for catering to maximum number of passengers.