In a major boost to women's safety and green mobility, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu flagged off 56 women-only buses and 200 new electric buses in the capital.

  • 56 special ladies' buses launched, including 26 dedicated to Delhi University routes.
  • 200 new electric buses added, pushing the e-bus fleet past 5,000.
  • Buses will feature women police and Home Guards for enhanced security.
  • Emergency panic buttons are integrated directly with the 112 PCR system.

New Delhi: In a significant move to bolster women's safety and promote sustainable urban mobility, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu flagged off 56 ladies' special buses from the Delhi University Sports Complex on Wednesday. A substantial portion of this fleet—26 buses—is specifically designated for routes serving Delhi University colleges.

The initiative follows recent high-level review meetings on women's safety, where the L-G emphasized the need for dedicated transport. These new services are designed to provide a safe, dignified, and convenient commuting experience for women and female students. To ensure maximum security, the buses will be operated by female staff and will have women police personnel and Home Guards stationed on board.

Read Also:Chennai Metro Phase-II: Massive TBM to Bore Beneath Existing Nandanam Tunnel

Enhancing Safety Through Technology

A critical component of this rollout is the integration of advanced safety technology. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted that all special buses are equipped with panic buttons directly linked to the Delhi Police's 112 PCR emergency response system. This integration ensures that any distress signal is met with a rapid and effective response from law enforcement.

BozokMedia analysis shows that by combining physical security presence with immediate technological emergency links, the administration is addressing the two primary concerns of female commuters: physical harassment and response time during emergencies.

The deployment of dedicated female-staffed buses with integrated emergency systems sets a new benchmark for urban public transport safety.

Green Mobility and Fleet Expansion

Beyond safety, the event marked a milestone in Delhi's fight against pollution. The administration flagged off 200 new electric buses, bringing the city's total electric bus fleet to over 5,000. The overall DTC fleet has now reached 6,800 vehicles. The new shipment includes 88 12-meter buses and 112 nine-meter 'DEVI' buses.

Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh described the launch as a 'special gift' to women ahead of Raksha Bandhan. The government has set an ambitious target to convert the entire DTC fleet to electric vehicles and expand the total bus count to approximately 14,000 by the 2028-29 period.

Did You Know?: Delhi is rapidly transitioning to a green economy, aiming for a massive expansion of its electric public transport fleet by 2029.

Inter-State Connectivity and Infrastructure

The expansion also includes inter-state services, with five new AC buses launched between Kashmere Gate and Karnal. Furthermore, a new public EV charging station was inaugurated at the Rajghat Depot-1, featuring high-capacity 240-kW chargers to support the growing fleet of electric buses and commercial EVs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which areas will the women-special buses cover?
They will cover key hubs like Connaught Place, AIIMS, Nehru Place, and major DU colleges like Hindu, Ramjas, and Hansraj.

2. How can a passenger report an emergency?
Passengers can use the integrated panic buttons which alert the 112 PCR system instantly.