Delhi CM Kejriwal flags off 150 electric buses

PTI, May 24, 2022, 2:16 PM IST

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Delhi government aims to launch 2,000 electric buses within a year on Tuesday after flagging off 150 such buses here. The chief minister said his government has also allocated Rs 1,862 crore for procuring electric buses over the next 10 years.

Kejriwal took a ride in one of the e-buses. ”We flagged off 150 buses today. One hundred fifty more will be added next month. These are your buses. Please take care of them, don’t make them dirty. These buses will reduce pollution in Delhi,” he urged people while interacting with reporters.

The Delhi government allocated Rs 1,862 crore for getting electric buses over the next 10 years while the Centre has provided Rs 150 crore for that.

Kejriwal said the target is to get 2,000 electric buses within a year. Asked about the Centre’s fund, he said ”We are thankful to the Centre. We give them credit. Work should happen in Delhi.” The chief minister claimed that for the time in the history of Delhi, 7200 buses would be plying on the roads of the national capital. He also shared that the government also plans to procure 600-700 CNG buses because the manufacturing of electric buses takes time.

The chief minister flagged off the buses from the Indraprastha Depot and boarded one of them to reach the Rajghat Cluster Bus Depot. He was accompanied by Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and chief secretary Naresh Kumar.

The chief minister also recalled the days when he used to travel in buses during the time of India’s anti-corruption movement. ”During the Andolan days, I used to travel in buses. But the air-conditioning was not strong. Today I traveled in the electric bus. Despite the presence of people, the air conditioning was strong,” he said.

He also said till May 26, starting from Tuesday, commuters can avail free travel on these buses.

Later in a tweet in Hindi, he said, ”Delhi has written a new chapter in its fight against pollution today. From today, 150 electric buses have started plying on Delhi’s roads in one go. I traveled in one of them and it has modern facilities. You must also travel in Delhi’s luxurious electric bus.” Kejriwal also welcomed new Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and said, ”Just like we worked with Anil Baijal (former LG), we will work together to take Delhi to new heights.”