The Delhi government on Thursday launched a series of initiatives to expand electric public transport, improve vehicle fitness testing and strengthen interstate connectivity, with chief minister Rekha Gupta inaugurating an automated vehicle testing station at Tehkhand and flagging off 50 new electric buses.
The four-lane automated testing station (ATS) at Tehkhand is Delhi’s second after Nand Nagri. It has two lanes for heavy vehicles, one for light vehicles and one for two-wheelers, with an annual testing capacity of 72,000 vehicles.
It will automate checks for braking, suspension, headlight alignment, side-slip, emissions and the underside of vehicles, officials said.
“Our aim is not merely to discuss problems but to provide lasting solutions. With the addition of the 50 new 12-metre zero-emission buses, the DTC fleet has increased to around 6,840 buses, including 5,088 electric and 1,752 CNG buses, according to the government. Delhi now has the country’s largest e-bus fleet, while the government aims to increase the overall fleet to around 14,000 buses by 2028-29. The government also said 1.8 million women had obtained Pink Cards under the free bus travel scheme. Gupta urged those yet to obtain one to apply before September 17, after which the existing pink ticket system will be discontinued. Earlier reporting noted: The chief minister also flagged off 50 new 12-metre electric buses for the DTC fleet. With their induction, Delhi’s bus fleet has risen to around 6,840 buses, including 5,088 electric buses and 1,752 CNG buses. Govt said Delhi now has the country’s largest electric bus fleet and aims to expand the total fleet to about 14,000 buses by 2028-29.
The government said automation would reduce human intervention and improve transparency in fitness testing. We are continuously working to strengthen Delhi’s transport system and provide better facilities to people,” Gupta said. She said the government was focusing on four areas — safety, sustainability, seamless connectivity and smart infrastructure. The new electric buses have safety features including CCTV cameras and panic buttons, she said. Transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the initiatives were aimed at strengthening public transport infrastructure and providing clean, safe and reliable services. Earlier reporting noted: Chief minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi earlier lacked adequate testing facilities for its large commercial vehicle fleet, forcing vehicle owners to travel to other parts of NCR for fitness certification. The new facility, she said, would strengthen vehicle-testing infrastructure in the capital. Delhi govt said the project is part of its broader efforts to improve road safety and curb vehicular pollution.
Earlier reporting noted: The Tehkhand centre is Delhi’s second ATS after the facility at Nand Nagri.
