Delhi Launches 400 Electric Buses Under DEVI Yojana To Improve Last-Mile Connectivity

The Delhi government aims to debut 400 nine-meter-long electric buses on Friday as part of its newly announced Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) Yojana. This ambitious effort intends to improve last-mile public transport in the city, notably in high-density residential neighbourhoods and small roads where ordinary buses cannot operate.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, and Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh will all flag off the buses at the Kushak Nala DTC depot. The premiere, originally slated for April 22, was postponed due to the national mourning period following Pope Francis' death.

Initially designed as the 'Mohalla Bus' initiative over three years ago during the Aam Aadmi Party government, the scheme has now been rebranded and implemented as the 'DEVI Yojana' by the newly elected BJP administration.

Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh emphasised the program's goal of increasing public transportation accessibility. "Our mission is to ensure that no person in Delhi has to walk more than 500 meters to reach a public transport point, aligning with international best practices," said Mr. Singh. The small electric buses are suitable for navigating narrow routes where normal 12-meter DTC buses cannot pass.

Focused Routes, Key Features, and Purpose

The majority of DEVI buses will depart from the Ghazipur depot in East Delhi and travel on routes of about 12 km in length. These routes were deliberately designed to serve underserved communities such as Sangam Vihar, Burari, Uttam Nagar, and numerous unauthorised colonies that larger buses had previously been unable to reach.

The buses will be fully electric and ecologically friendly, with modern ticketing systems that are compatible with mobility cards, providing a seamless and convenient experience for daily commuters. The DEVI Yojana is an important step in Delhi's efforts to develop an equitable, efficient, and environmentally friendly urban transport network.