Transport minister Kailash Gahlot has announced that if everything goes according to the plan, Delhi will get around 2000 electric public buses by 2021 end. The declaration came after a meeting between RK Singh, Union minister of state for power and non-renewable energy and Gahlot and other senior officials. Though calls are yet to be taken on the plan, Gahlot has stated that the discussion with the Union Minister was very fruitful, as reported by Hindustan Times. Gahlot added that Singh has assured about arranging subsidies from the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) II scheme of the Central Government for 700 additional electric buses. These buses will take the total count of proposed electric buses in Delhi to 2000. In August, Delhi Metro had launched feeder electric buses with fares starting from ₹10.
Also Read: I Stayed By The Ganges At This Stunning Mountain Resort Just 5 Hours Away From Delhi
Delhi Metro Has Introduced Cashless Feeder E-Buses For First Time
Delhi Metro introduced feeder electric buses for the first time on a trial basis from August 12, 2021. It includes operation of 25 e-buses, and only those having a Delhi Metro Smart Card or Metro DTC Smart Card can travel on these buses. Payment via Smart Card will ensure cashless travel. For buses that will start from metro stations, entry will be permitted only from the stations and the bus will stop only at designated stops to drop passengers. It won’t allow entry to the buses from other stoppages. In a similar manner, for buses going to metro stations, entry will be permitted on all stoppages en-route but exit can happen only at the metro stations. The fares of these buses are ₹10 for up to 4 kilometres, ₹15 for 4-8 kilometres, ₹20 for 8-12 kilometres and ₹25 beyond 12 kilometres. To know more, click here.
200 Charging Stations To Be Installed In Delhi By 2022
FAME II scheme of the Central Government offers cash incentives for purchasing electric vehicles (EVs). Also, those riding electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers will be able to charge their vehicles at various existing fuel stations. The first phase of the Delhi Electric Vehicle policy attempts to install 200 charging stations in the Capital by next year. This will ensure that there is one charging station in every 3 kilometres. The policy targets to have 5 lakh electric vehicles in Delhi by 2024. It also aims to prompt private players to take part in the initiative and set up private charging stations.
Also Read: Uttar Pradesh Will Set Up A Handicrafts Park On Route Connecting Delhi To Taj Mahal
Delhi Can Become The EV Capital Of India In Near Future
Gahlot said that RK Singh has talked about scouting the possibility to launch EV charging points at all existing fuel stations in Delhi NCR. Gahlot added, “If that happens, then there is no stopping Delhi from becoming the EV capital of India.” Meanwhile, Delhi Also Aims To Get Heli Taxi Services, Smart Roads & Bullet Trains In Future.