Delhi Surpasses Maharashtra with Over 4,000 Electric Buses After Major Fleet Expansion
In a significant boost to sustainable urban mobility, Delhi on Sunday inducted 500 new electric buses into the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet. This addition pushes the city's total e-bus count beyond 4,000, making it the highest among all Indian states, according to official data shared by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
Launch Event and Inter-State Service Introduction
The buses were formally flagged off from Ramlila Maidan by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and BJP National President Nitin Nabin. Alongside this expansion, an inter-state electric bus service between Delhi and Panipat was inaugurated, targeting commuters traveling between the capital and Haryana's key industrial towns.
Officials detailed that the new Delhi-Panipat service covers approximately 86 kilometers, with routes passing through the Singhu border, Murthal, Samalkha, and other areas. Timings have been strategically scheduled for morning and evening slots to cater specifically to officegoers and industrial workers, enhancing connectivity and convenience.
Government's Vision and Future Targets
Chief Minister Gupta emphasized that the government's focus remains on expanding public transport capacity while simultaneously reducing pollution levels. "Our plans are ambitious yet achievable," she stated, outlining targets to increase the number of electric buses to 7,500 by the end of 2026 and further to 14,000 by 2028.
Data from the Vahan dashboard of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (as of February 2026) confirms that Delhi has now overtaken Maharashtra in registered electric buses, with 4,286 currently operational compared to Maharashtra's 4,001.
Supportive Policies and Infrastructure Development
To bolster this transition, the chief minister announced that the government is actively working on a comprehensive Electric Vehicle (EV) policy. This initiative aims to strengthen charging infrastructure and ensure smooth operations across the city. Additionally, pending EV subsidies worth Rs 40 crore, announced by the previous government, have been cleared to accelerate adoption.
Further measures include the development of pink cards and mobility cards for women, designed to make public transport more accessible and affordable, thereby promoting inclusivity in urban transit systems.
Political Endorsements and Commuter Benefits
BJP National President Nitin Nabin highlighted that the completion of one year of the BJP government marks a shift towards execution-led governance. "Public transport is an area where results are visibly tangible on the ground," he remarked, contrasting past initiatives that he claimed remained on paper with the current administration's tangible deployments.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva noted that the expansion of the e-bus fleet is expected to improve frequency, safety, and overall comfort for daily commuters. Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh added that the Delhi–Panipat service will significantly strengthen regional connectivity, fostering economic and social ties between the two regions.
Local Development Initiatives
Later in the day, Chief Minister Gupta marked the one-year anniversary of the BJP government by launching development work in Shalimar Bagh. According to the CMO, projects worth around Rs 250 crore were either initiated or completed in the constituency over the past year. These encompassed:
- Road and drain upgrades
- Park redevelopment
- Improved street lighting
- Enhanced healthcare facilities
- Community infrastructure improvements
Gupta asserted that the government's assessment should be based on visible changes at the neighbourhood level, noting that several long-pending civic issues were addressed during the year, underscoring a commitment to grassroots development and public welfare.
