The Delhi government is set to deploy 76 electric buses under its newly launched DEVI (Delhi Electric Vehicle Interchanges) initiative.
The rollout, beginning from the Ghazipur depot, is aimed at enhancing last-mile connectivity between metro stations and residential neighbourhoods, while reinforcing the city’s broader clean transport goals. According to transport department officials, the DEVI initiative is structured to bridge the gap between arterial corridors and interior localities that are underserved by conventional bus services. Each of the new electric buses will operate over shorter routes, with an approximate daily coverage of 12 kilometres. The initiative is part of a wider strategy to integrate public transport nodes, reduce dependency on private vehicles, and improve air quality in one of the world’s most polluted cities.
The initial rollout includes eight buses connecting Anand Vihar ISBT Terminal with Keshav Nagar Mukti Ashram, six on the Seemapuri to Old Delhi Railway Station route, and ten between Mayur Vihar Phase III and Mori Gate Terminal. Another 14 buses are being deployed to link Anand Vihar ISBT with Kapashera Border, serving a corridor with limited access to public transport. Smaller fleets are also being placed on routes connecting Anand Vihar to Swaroop Nagar and Sangam Vihar. Officials confirmed that the electric buses will also operate from Nangloi and East Vinod Nagar depots in the next phase, significantly widening the network’s footprint. The buses are designed to manoeuvre through narrow streets and high-density urban areas where traditional buses cannot operate efficiently. Authorities have expressed that passenger feedback and route demand assessments will guide further expansion of services under the DEVI model.
This initiative marks a revival and restructuring of an earlier project previously known as the Mohalla Bus Service. While the earlier programme had faced delays and operational challenges, the revamped initiative, backed by both policy rebranding and infrastructure upgrades, is now positioned to make measurable impacts on commuter convenience and emissions reduction. Transport experts suggest that this rollout is critical for Delhi’s aspirations to evolve into a model city for green mobility. The DEVI buses, being fully electric, align with Delhi’s broader Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, which targets 25 percent of all new vehicle registrations to be electric by 2024. The initiative also complements the city’s commitment under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and the FAME India scheme.
Officials involved in the planning phase noted that the project is not just about adding more buses, but about recalibrating the scale and responsiveness of public transport in Delhi’s evolving urban fabric. With over 50 percent of Delhi’s population depending on public transport, officials believe that strengthening last-mile options is essential for achieving modal shifts and reducing urban congestion. While the environmental benefits of switching to an electric fleet are evident—lower greenhouse gas emissions, zero tailpipe emissions, and reduced noise pollution—officials also highlighted the social equity aspect of the initiative. By reaching inner colonies and low-income residential pockets, the buses aim to ensure mobility access across all demographic segments.
City planners and mobility researchers are cautiously optimistic about the initiative’s potential to reshape commuter patterns, provided route optimisation and operational reliability remain central to the service. They also call for integrating digital ticketing, real-time tracking, and route information systems to make the service more user-centric. The buses deployed under DEVI are equipped with low floors for easy access, CCTV surveillance, and onboard GPS, with some expected to offer Wi-Fi connectivity in future phases. As part of the larger electrification strategy, the city is also expanding its EV charging infrastructure in coordination with the Delhi Transport Corporation and private operators.
Although this initiative has emerged amid a change in political leadership, officials asserted that the emphasis remains firmly on continuity in public service delivery and climate resilience. The project, they noted, is designed to be scalable and replicable, with future versions possibly extending to other NCR regions based on performance outcomes. The deployment of DEVI buses represents more than just a transit upgrade. It reflects a shift in how Indian cities like Delhi are reimagining mobility systems that are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to environmental imperatives. As the capital grapples with the intersecting challenges of congestion, pollution, and socio-economic disparities, this initiative signals an intent to prioritise people-centric, planet-friendly development.
Delhi Rolls Out 76 Electric Buses to Boost Metro Feeder Transport
