NEW DELHI: The Mohalla bus service will soon be introduced in the national capital to address issues in areas lacking public transport facilities. Earlier this week, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot announced that the Mohalla bus scheme, featuring 9-metre-long buses designed to enhance neighbourhood connectivity in areas without public bus services, might launch by the end of the month. However, BJP has criticised this initiative, accusing AAP of making false promises to mislead Delhi residents.
Gahlot said that the Mohalla bus service will begin its operations by the end of July. The transport minister announced that the Mohalla bus service buses will be green for easy identification, with 25% of the seats (six seats) marked in pink and reserved for women. Women can also enjoy free rides on these buses using pink passes. Transport Department aims to operate 2,180 of these buses by 2025. Gahlot inspected the buses and the electrification process at the Dwarka depot.
A Transport Department official stated that the service will likely be launched with 50 nine-metre electric buses operating from the Ghazipur and East Vinod Nagar bus depots, with the number of buses gradually increasing over time. The department has identified 16 depots across four zones—north, south, east, and west—where the buses will be deployed. Officials noted that areas near these depots will benefit the most, with the buses expected to make multiple loop trips throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the BJP criticised the AAP for failing to improve the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet. BJP MLA Jitendra Mahajan said that the Kejriwal government has deceived the people of Delhi by not purchasing any buses in the past nine years. He noted that only cluster services or central government policies are being used to run the buses, and called the announcement of the Mohalla bus service fake, like other promises. Mahajan added that the DTC fleet is in poor condition, with hundreds of buses breaking down daily, and accused the Delhi government of making false announcements about starting a new Mohalla bus service for last-mile connectivity instead of addressing the issue.
Experts believe the Mohalla bus service could significantly transform the public transport system, aiding overall development. “Utilising the flexibility of buses and customising services to suit local community needs, this initiative could revolutionise public transportation in Delhi and beyond,” they said.
The Delhi government announced the Mohalla bus service in its 2023–24 budget to provide last-mile connectivity for residents. An informed officer stated that the scheme will introduce 2,000 small AC buses in phases, starting with 200 buses in the first phase. The goal is to serve areas where regular buses cannot operate, with routes determined by existing public transport services and passenger accessibility. By the end of 2025, Delhi aims to have a total of 10,480 buses, with 80% being electric. Additionally, efforts are being made to electrify over 60 depots, with 16 already operational.