Fight against pollution in Delhi: Three ISBTs set to be made EV-ready, CM flags off 50 new e-buses

“The government’s key aim is to curb vehicular emission and go completely green. The electrification of bus depots has already started. The government also wants to promote e-buses for interstate travelling and two interstate bus services have already been started. But before procuring more buses, we need to expand EV infrastructure,” said a senior official.

Officials added that the project will be executed by Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DTIDC), which has already floated tenders for the project.

“Twenty-four chargers having 240 kW and 6 chargers with 60 kW will be installed in each ISBT… Under this project, there are also plans to set up 1000 to 1250 KVA, 11KV/ 433V transformer substation / compact substation or above capacity (including HT/ LT panel, and related allied works),” said an official.

The project will be executed under the State Capital Investment Special Assistance Scheme (SASCI), the Central government’s programme providing financial assistance to states for capital expenditure projects through long-term, and interest-free loans.

Delhi was included under this scheme for the first time this year and the Centre has promised interest-free loan to the tune of Rs 600 crore to the Delhi government for 50 years.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off 50 new e-buses on Friday at DTC Tehkhand Bus depot in Southeast Delhi. She also laid the foundation stone of an automated testing station (ATS) to test the fitness of vehicles.

The ATS will have four lanes — two for heavy motor vehicles, one for light motor vehicles and one for two-wheelers. It shall be developed to test 72,000 vehicles annually, 20,000 two wheelers, said officials. The revenue expected to be generated is Rs 3 crore.

“Within a span of just eight months, the Delhi government has made extraordinary progress in the transport sector and added 1,350 e-buses, while the previous could add only 2,000 e-buses in 11 years,” she said.

After laying the foundation stone for construction of new ATS, Gupta said, “Vehicular emissions remain one of the most significant contributors to Delhi’s air pollution…Delhi has nearly 6.5 lakh commercial vehicles requiring an annual fitness certificate, yet the system had been neglected for decades.The Capital had only one centre at Jhundpura, with a limited testing capacity of just 47,000 vehicles. This forced lakhs of vehicle owners to travel to NCR cities for fitness testing. ”

She accused the previous AAP government of leaving Delhi’s transport arrangements in deep disarray.

The CM also said that the under-construction ATS at Nand Nagri, which will have the capacity to 72,000 vehicles, is nearing completion.