Delhi Government is all set to open tenders for electric buses that had been floated previously.
NEW DELHI: The coming week could witness the opening of tenders for electric buses that were floated previously. The first fleet is to be launched by the end of the year, should the tender be awarded.
A transport department official was quoted, “We have planned to open tenders for 375 buses in the first phase. The government hopes to up the number to a 1000.”
Operating from Mundhela Kalan to Rohini Sec 37, these state of the art bus depots will have e-charging facility. Work for their development has already begun.
With the approval for the induction of 1000 low-floored and air-conditioned electric buses by the Delhi cabinet, the national capital will have more e-buses than all other cities in India combined and the highest number of buses in any city of the world, behind China.
The features in the buses include automatic vehicle tracking system, CCTV cameras, panic buttons and panic alarms. Six depots, deemed as ‘parent depots’ will function as charging points for the buses. These include East Vinod Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Rohini Sector 37, Burari, Mudehla Kalan and Bamnauli.
The opening of tenders is being looked at as an impressive move to combat pollution and harness clean fuel techonology. With the launch of the electric buses by the end of the year, the national capital is looking at a more eco-friendly and technologically advanced form of public transportation. The goal for the government is to have a 25 percent share of Battery Electric Vehicles in the new registered vehicles by 2024.
This move coincides with the FAME scheme initiated by the Centre, where subsidies are being offered to Electric Vehicle manufacturers in the country and incentives to the buyers to push citizens to transition towards electric vehicles in the country.