Delhi’s Mohalla Buses: What Residents Need to Know
Delhi residents may have to wait a little longer for the much-anticipated Mohalla buses, as the transport department is still in the process of finalizing the routes and awaiting the arrival of the buses. Here’s what you need to know about the current status and future plans for this transport initiative.
Trial Runs Underway
– The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) are preparing for trial runs on two new routes:
– Indian Airline Colony/Priya Cinema to Lok Kalyan Marg metro station
– Lok Kalyan Marg to Vasant Vihar
– Additionally, trial runs are already ongoing for routes from:
– Mayur Vihar Phase-3 to Akshardham Metro Station
– Pradhan Enclave Pusta from Majlis Park Metro Station
– Akshardham Metro Station to Mayur Vihar Phase-3 Paper Market
These trials aim to gather essential data for the effective operation of the new bus routes.
Infrastructure Development
– To support the new buses, the transport department has established 16 depots dedicated to parking and maintenance.
– The setup of charging infrastructure within these depots is currently in progress.
– An official from the transport department indicated that delays in the delivery of buses from the manufacturer have impacted the rollout timeline.
Expected Launch Date
– Initially, the launch of the Mohalla buses was targeted for late August. However, the new timeline suggests that they may now be operational by mid-September.
– The integration of AI technology is being utilized to finalize the bus routes, enhancing efficiency and service.
Collaboration with IIT-Delhi
– A meeting is scheduled with IIT-Delhi next week to discuss the finalized routes, followed by a meeting with Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot to confirm details.
Bus Specifications
– The Mohalla buses will be equipped with six battery packs, providing a total capacity of 196 kWh.
– Each bus can cover over 200 km on just 45 minutes of charging.
– The nine-meter-long buses will feature 23 passenger seats with a standing capacity for 13 passengers.
– Six seats will be specially designated in pink for women, ensuring safe and exclusive seating.
Future Plans
– The Mohalla bus scheme aims to introduce a total of 2,080 buses by 2025.
– Of these, 1,040 buses will be operated by the DTC, while the remaining will be managed by DIMTS.
As the transport department works diligently to finalize routes and prepare the fleet, residents can look forward to enhanced public transportation options in the near future.