Delhi Transport Dept Plans 4 Exclusive Electric Bus Charging Stations

The Delhi transport department has approved setting up big electric bus charging infrastructure at four of its depots in Dwarka to cater for the needs of its expanding fleet of such vehicles in the national capital.

The project, which is estimated to cost the exchequer Rs 107 crore, is likely to be completed within 18 months as the government plans to replace its entire bus fleet to promote sustainable urban mobility.

"The government of Delhi has decided to replace the existing fleet of CNG buses of DTC and cluster scheme to electric buses in a phased manner, and a charging infrastructure is required for it," the minutes of the expenditure and finance committee meeting said.

According to officials, the electric bus charging infrastructure will be set up by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited at Cluster Depot I and Cluster Depot II in Sector 22, ISBT in the same sector and DTC Depot in Sector 8 of Dwarka.

"The transport department has also been advised to undertake a detailed study and to explore the best practices adopted in other countries having robust electric vehicle charging infrastructure," the minutes stated.

Officials said the government is keen on having a financially viable, long-lasting and permanent charging infrastructure.

Delhi has around 7,000 buses out of which 1,600 are electric. On average, around 25 lakh people use DTC buses and 16 lakh travel on cluster buses daily.