Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal flags 150 new electric buses to control city’s pollution; Offers free ride for 3 days

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal flagged 150 new electric buses on Thursday from the Indraprastha Depot and the travellers will be allowed to travel for free for these three days, as per an official statement.

“Delhi is going to equal the national record of inducting the most number of buses by inducting 150 electric buses into its public fleet tomorrow. Any person can travel for free in these buses for the coming 3 days from May 24 to 26,” the Delhi government statement said.

These state-of-the-art buses are smoke and emission-free, and have CCTV cameras, GPS, 10 panic buttons, and ramps for differently-abled among other features. According to the statement, three depots at Mundela Kalan, Rajghat, and Rohini Sector-37 have been completely electrified and ready to house these 150 new buses.

These electric buses will ply on major routes of Delhi namely Teevra Mudrika on Ring Road, Route No 502 between Mori Gate and Mehrauli Terminal, Route No E-44 on IP Depot, as well on the Connaught Place, Safdarjung, South Extension, Ashram, Jangpura and India Gate routes.

⚡? 150 New AC Electric Buses starts plying on the roads of Delhi | CM @ArvindKejriwal | Shri @kgahlot | LIVE https://t.co/4UfsoQuJXb

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 24, 2022

Meanwhile, Kejriwal said that the target is to get 2,000 electric buses in a year. When asked about the Centre’s fund, he said, “We are thankful to the Centre. We give them the credit. Work should happen in Delhi.”

Also, the CM said that his government has allocated Rs 1,862 crore for procuring electric buses over the next 10 years. While interacting with the reporters, he urged people to “Please take care of them, don’t make them dirty. These buses will reduce pollution in Delhi.”

He added, “We flagged off 150 buses today. One hundred fifty more will be added next month. These are your buses.”

प्रदूषण के ख़िलाफ़ जंग में दिल्ली ने आज नया अध्याय लिखा है। आज से दिल्ली की सड़कों पर एक साथ 150 इलेक्ट्रिक AC बसें चलना शुरु हो गई हैं। मैंने भी बस में बैठकर सफ़र किया, इसमें सभी आधुनिक सुविधाएं हैं। दिल्ली की शानदार इलेक्ट्रिक बस में एक बार आप भी सफ़र ज़रुर करें।#IrideEbus pic.twitter.com/NGWByo6uIJ

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 24, 2022

“Delhi government has always been pushing its people to shift to greener modes of transport and make the switch to EVs. Shifting to public transport, especially sustainable modes of public transport is a lifestyle change that we wish to see in Delhiites,” Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said.