To combat air pollution, two new DTC routes introduced; DIMTS now under public carrier
The Cabinet has approved the transfer of operational control of DTC buses from DIMTS to DTC. “This decision would improve the quality of bus services, make route rationalisation easier, and provide greater stability to drivers and conductors," Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said.
The route rationalisation involves splitting two existing high-demand routes to expand coverage and improve Metro connectivity without adding buses to the fleet.
In a bid to combat vehicular pollution in the Capital and augment public transport, the Delhi government on Tuesday made two key announcements linked to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) — the public bus carrier is set to introduce two new bus routes through rationalisation of existing services, and it will also take over operational control of city buses currently run by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) from the next financial year.
“Improving last-mile connectivity and seamless Metro integration is central to our vision for a cleaner, more efficient and commuter-friendly transport system. The introduction of two routes reflects our focus on public convenience, optimal use of resources and sustaining DTC’s financial strength, while encouraging more citizens to shift to public transport,” said Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.
The Cabinet has approved the transfer of operational control of DTC buses from DIMTS to DTC. “This decision would improve the quality of bus services, make route rationalisation easier, and provide greater stability to drivers and conductors,” Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said.
The route rationalisation involves splitting two existing high-demand routes to expand coverage and improve Metro connectivity without adding buses to the fleet. Route 212 (Anand Vihar ISBT–Anand Parvat), which currently operates with 18 buses, will be bifurcated into Route 212 and the new Route 212A, with nine buses on each route.
Officials said the change will increase the number of Metro stations connected along the corridor from three to eight, adding interchange points such as Maujpur–Babarpur, Zafrabad, Welcome, Shahdara and Mansarovar Park, in addition to Anand Vihar and Dilshad Garden.
Similarly, Route 192 (Kashmere Gate–Keshav Nagar), which currently operates with eight buses, will be split into Route 192 and the new Route 192A, with four buses on each route.
The revision of routes is expected to improve access to Metro stations including Model Town, Azadpur and Majlis Park, while strengthening interchanges at Kashmere Gate, Civil Lines, Vidhan Sabha, Vishwavidyalaya and GTB Nagar. Areas such as Burari, Kaushik Enclave and Keshav Nagar are expected to see improved bus coverage.
Story continues below this ad
On the key moves by the government, Anil Chhikara, former deputy commissioner of transport and transport expert, said: “This is the correct approach. Also, last mile connectivity should be entrusted to DTC. This will make unified, multimodal transit available to citizens. Buses will be enhanced by multiple ridership and hub and spoke arrangements as done at CWG 2010, which can be replicated.”
Devansh Mittal is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in the New Delhi City bureau. He reports on urban policy, civic governance, and infrastructure in the National Capital Region, with a growing focus on housing, land policy, transport, and the disruption economy and its social implications.
Professional Background
Education: He studied Political Science at Ashoka University.
Core Beats: His reporting focuses on policy and governance in the National Capital Region, one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world. He covers housing and land policy, municipal governance, urban transport, and the interface between infrastructure, regulation, and everyday life in the city.
Recent Notable Work
His recent reporting includes in-depth examinations of urban policy and its on-ground consequences:
An investigation into subvention-linked home loans that documented how homebuyers were drawn into under-construction projects through a “builder–bank” nexus, often leaving them financially exposed when delivery stalled.
A detailed report on why Delhi’s land-pooling policy has remained stalled since 2007, tracing how fragmented land ownership, policy design flaws, and mistrust among stakeholders have kept one of the capital’s flagship urban reforms in limbo.
A reported piece examining the collapse of an electric mobility startup and what it meant for women drivers dependent on the platform for livelihoods.
Reporting Approach
Devansh’s work combines on-ground reporting with analysis of government data, court records, and academic research. He regularly reports from neighbourhoods, government offices, and courtrooms to explain how decisions on housing, transport, and the disruption economy shape everyday life in the city.
Contact
X (Twitter): @devanshmittal_
Email: devansh.mittal@expressindia.com ... Read More