Monday, June 30, 2025
By Kamal Swami
Delhi To Resume Bus Services to 17 Cities After 20 Years
The Delhi government is going to restart its inter-state bus service to 17 cities after more than 20 years. Compared to earlier buses, the newly introduced buses will be eco-friendly and equipped with contemporary features. The news regarding this was confirmed by officials of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). The corporation will soon launch a fleet of 100 electric buses that will connect the capital with 17 cities across six neighbouring states.
Recently, a proposal for this was approved in a DTC board meeting chaired by Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh. The proposal focuses on the use of only electric buses, highlighting the government's commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly public transport. The new fleet of buses will connect the following destinations with Delhi, including:
• Uttarakhand: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and others
• Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya, Lucknow, Moradabad, and more
• Rajasthan: Jaipur, Alwar, Bikaner
• Punjab: Chandigarh, Amritsar, Patiala
• Haryana: Panipat
• Jammu & Kashmir: Jammu
A Comeback After a Long Gap
DTC’s interstate service was functional until the early 2000s. The shift from diesel to CNG fuel severely affected the corporation’s efficiency in operating long-distance buses, due to the absence of CNG infrastructure in neighbouring states. By 2010, the service was fully discontinued.
New Buses, Premium Features
According to officials, the upcoming 12-metre-long electric buses will be equipped with air conditioning, comfortable seating, GPS tracking, CCTV surveillance, and panic buttons to enhance passenger safety and comfort during long-distance travel.
Smooth Booking and Affordable Travel
The Delhi government also plans to introduce app-based ticketing for easier bookings. The travel fare is yet to be announced. According to DTC officials, the fare will be priced competitively. It might be even lower than those of private operators despite the upgraded facilities. The procurement process is underway, and coordination with state authorities is ongoing. Once the electric buses are delivered, services are expected to commence soon.
