• Source:JND
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Delhi government is planning to launch 100 inter-state electric buses which will connect 17 routes to the national capital including Haridwar, Ayodhya, Rishikesh, Meerut and Baghpat. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) said that the buses will operate on routes covering distances between 250 and 300 kilometers from the city. Destinations are expected to include Shimla, Lucknow, Aligarh, and Jaipur. The decision was made during a DTC board meeting held on Friday.

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Transport minister Pankaj Singh said, "These electric buses will strengthen Delhi's connectivity with neighbouring states and will run across 17 identified routes, including several that connect to important religious and pilgrimage destinations."

The initiative is part of the government's "Viksit Sankalp Patra" vision and aligns with the broader goals of a Green and Clean Delhi. According to the government, the e-buses will be operated by existing DTC drivers, ensuring continuity and efficient use of the current workforce.

The board also outlined a plan to boost DTC's non-fare revenue by expanding advertisements on buses. The corporation aims to generate Rs 5 crore annually through advertising, and efforts are currently underway to increase the number of buses under ad coverage, with the goal of significantly scaling up revenue in the coming years.

Singh said, "The e-bus facility will not only improve access to neighbouring areas and pilgrimage hubs but also reduce pollution levels in Delhi."

Previously, DTC operated regular bus services to regions in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan. However, these services began to be phased out from 2001 onwards, as the fleet transitioned entirely to CNG. The limited availability of CNG in these states made long-distance operations nearly unfeasible.

By 2010, DTC's interstate operations were largely confined to the National Capital Region (NCR), as CNG-run low-floor buses typically have an average range of only about 250 kilometers per fill.

DTC stated that most commuters preferred its interstate bus services over those operated by other state transport corporations, citing better reliability and service quality as key factors.

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"Back then, DTC buses connected Delhi to several cities, including Jaipur, Chandigarh, Udaipur, Shimla and Haridwar," he added.