The Cabinet on Saturday approved the proposal of the Transport Department for phase-wise engagement of 1,000 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses in Delhi under the gross cost model of contracting. 

“This is the largest such commitment so far by any Indian city,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the Cabinet meeting. “The Delhi Government is committed to developing efficient and environment-friendly public transport for the residents. Creating sufficient capacity in the public transport system is the only way to reduce air pollution and congestion on roads,” he said.

The Cabinet also allowed the Transport Department to ask the prospective bidders to bring in the buses with CCTV cameras, automatic vehicle tracking system (AVTS), panic buttons and alarms, according to the specifications finalised by the department concerned. 

The buses will be parked and charged overnight at six parent depots. Infrastructure for charging of the electric buses within the depot and the requisite numbers of charging units will be the responsibility of the concessionaire. The arrangements for power infrastructure at intermediate charging points along bus routes will also be the responsibility of the concessionaire.