Delhi Govt Unveils ₹12,952 Crore Transport Budget, Focus on EV Buses

Key Highlights:

• The Delhi government has allocated ₹12,952 crore for public transport.
• Delhi aims to become home to the world’s second-largest electric bus fleet.
• The Delhi Metro will receive ₹2,929.66 crore to expand.
• A new system for free bus rides for women will use digital cards instead of pink tickets.
• Transport experts support the increased budget.

The Delhi government has announced a ₹12,952-crore budget for public transport, which is almost 13% of the total budget. This is more than double the amount from last year. The plan includes adding 5,000 new electric buses, expanding the metro system, and providing support for transport workers. The goal is to improve connectivity and make Delhi a leader in sustainable urban transport.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that Delhi is set to become home to the world’s second-largest electric bus fleet. At present, Delhi ranks third globally with 2,152 electric buses, 1,752 operated by DTC and 400 under the DIMTS cluster scheme. With plans to add over 5,000 electric buses by the end of the year, Delhi is on track to lead in electric mobility.

Shenzhen, China, is known for having the largest electric bus fleet in the world, with around 16,000 electric buses. The Delhi government has also allocated ₹2,929.66 crore for the expansion of the Delhi Metro, a significant increase from last year’s ₹500 crore. This funding will speed up work on three key corridors, where nearly 60% of the construction is already complete.

Currently, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) operates a 394.25 km network with 289 stations. Under Phase 4, DMRC is building 103 km of new lines across six corridors. Three metro corridors are already under construction: the Magenta Line extension from Janakpuri West to RK Ashram Marg, the Pink Line extension from Majlis Park to Maujpur, and the new Golden Line from Aerocity to Tughlakabad. Additionally, three more corridors are in the pre-tendering stage, including a new line from Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block, a Green Line extension from Indraprastha to Inderlok, and the Rithala-Narela-Nathupur Red Line. Work on these will begin this financial year, according to Gupta.

The free bus rides for women will continue, but with a new system that issues a single digital card per user, replacing the previous practice of handing out multiple pink tickets. Gupta criticized the old system for fostering corruption. “No free welfare scheme will be discontinued,” she stated. An additional ₹1,000 crore has been allocated for centrally funded urban transport projects. New welfare boards will also be set up for auto and taxi drivers, gig workers, and other semi-skilled workers in the transport sector.

The goal of the Delhi government is to make transportation more convenient, pollution-free, and world-class. In response to a recent CAG audit that flagged ₹60,741 crore in cumulative losses for the Delhi Transport Corporation in 2021-22 despite heavy revenue grants, Gupta pledged that the state would ensure better accountability through digital reforms in the transport sector.

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Transport experts have praised the increased budget allocation for the sector. Amit Bhatt, managing director (India) of the International Council of Clean Transport (ICCT), welcomed the ₹12,952 crore outlay. He noted that the investments in 5,000 new electric buses and metro expansion would help reduce Delhi’s air pollution, as transport is a major contributor to it. However, he emphasized the need for progress in improving last-mile connectivity.