CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates Delhi’s second state-of-the-art Automated Testing Station at Tehkhand Depot
50 new EV buses added to DTC fleet, Delhi now has the country’s largest electric bus fleet
Interstate e-bus service launched from Dhaula Kuan to Rewari, EV charging stations inaugurated at Hasanpur and Ghazipur
Delhi government moving swiftly towards solutions, not merely discussing problems: CM Rekha Gupta
Providing clean, safe and modern transport to Delhiites is government’s priority: Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh
New Delhi, Sept 2026 : The Delhi government on Thursday launched several major initiatives to make public transport more modern, safe, transparent and environment-friendly. Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta inaugurated an Automated Testing Station (ATS) at the DTC’s Tehkhand Depot and public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Hasanpur and Ghazipur depots. She also flagged off 50 new zero-emission electric buses and launched an interstate e-bus service between Delhi and Rewari. During the programme, the Chief Minister also unveiled a coffee table book on the DTC.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government’s aim was not merely to discuss problems but to provide lasting solutions. Congratulating officers, employees and all those associated with the Transport Department on the initiatives, she said the government was continuously working to strengthen Delhi’s transport system. Delhi Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, South Delhi MP Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, senior officials, public representatives and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister highlights four ‘S’ priorities
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government would have to continuously work in four key areas to strengthen Delhi’s transport system, safety, sustainability, seamless connectivity and smart infrastructure. She said passenger safety was the government’s top priority. Keeping this in mind, the new electric buses have been equipped with CCTV cameras, panic buttons and several other safety features. The expansion of the bus network is also improving connectivity between different parts of the city, ensuring safer and more convenient public transport for people.
‘Work and solutions are now happening’
Commenting on the previous government’s tenure, the Chief Minister said that at that time, there was more concern about work and discussion about that concern than actual work. The DTC remained in debt for a long time, employees faced difficulties, and the problems of drivers, conductors and officials remained unresolved. The people of Delhi continued to wait for basic facilities for a long time, but during the current government’s nearly one-and-a-half-year tenure, the city had gained a new pace of development. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the BJP government in Delhi was moving ahead by prioritising people’s work and delivering results.
Old bus shelters to be modernised
The Chief Minister said the government’s aim was not only to increase the number of buses but also to provide better and dignified facilities to passengers. Old and dilapidated bus shelters across Delhi would also be modernised so that, along with modern buses, bus stops too looked attractive and convenient in keeping with the changing face of the city.
Major push for free bus travel for women
The Chief Minister also referred to the free bus travel scheme for women. She said 18 lakh women had so far obtained Pink Cards. Women had been given additional time to get their Pink Cards until September 17, the Prime Minister Ji’s birthday. After that, the system of Pink Tickets would be discontinued. She appealed to women in Delhi to get their Pink Cards at the earliest.
State-of-the-art Automated Testing Station opens at Tehkhand
The Chief Minister inaugurated Delhi’s second Automated Testing Station at the DTC’s Tehkhand Depot. The first ATS has already been started at Nand Nagri Depot. The four-lane automated testing centre at Tehkhand will make vehicle fitness testing more scientific, transparent and technology-driven. It will have two lanes for heavy motor vehicles, one for light motor vehicles and one for two-wheelers.
The centre will have an annual testing capacity of 72,000 vehicles, including 52,000 heavy and light motor vehicles and 20,000 two-wheelers. The entire testing process will be automated, reducing human intervention and improving accuracy and transparency in vehicle fitness assessment. The ATS will conduct essential checks including braking capacity, suspension performance, headlight alignment, side-slip, emission levels and inspection of the underside of vehicles.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi earlier did not have adequate fitness testing facilities for a large number of commercial vehicles, forcing vehicle owners to travel to other parts of the NCR for testing. Modern Automated Testing Stations were now being made available within Delhi itself. The present government was working at multiple levels to control pollution, including through the EV policy, expansion of electric buses, interconnectivity and last-mile connectivity.
Delhi now has the largest electric bus fleet
During the programme, 50 new 12-metre zero-emission electric buses were flagged off after being added to the DTC fleet. With their addition, Delhi’s total bus fleet has increased to around 6,840 buses, comprising 5,088 electric buses and 1,752 CNG buses. Delhi now has the country’s largest electric bus fleet. The Delhi government aims to increase the city’s bus fleet to around 14,000 buses by the financial year 2028-29.
Interstate e-bus service launched between Delhi and Rewari
The Delhi government also launched a zero-emission interstate e-bus service between Delhi and Rewari to strengthen green and convenient interstate connectivity. The service will operate on the Dhaula Kuan-Gurugram-Manesar-Dharuhera-Rewari route. The fare for the approximately 86-km journey from Dhaula Kuan to Rewari has been fixed at Rs 153. Buses will operate as per the scheduled timetable from 6:05 am to 6:00 pm, while services from Rewari to Dhaula Kuan will be available from 9:35 am to 9:25 pm.
Public EV charging stations inaugurated at Hasanpur and Ghazipur
To strengthen Delhi’s growing EV ecosystem, the Chief Minister also inaugurated public EV charging stations at the DTC’s Hasanpur and Ghazipur depots. Both depots are located near the Anand Vihar bus terminal. The charging stations will expand access to EV charging infrastructure in the area and promote electric mobility. Each charging station has four EV chargers with a capacity of 240 kW each. The chargers can serve heavy commercial electric vehicles as well as electric cars. The charging facilities are supported by 1,600 kVA compact substations equipped with transformers, HT/LT panels and other necessary electrical infrastructure.
Focus on clean and reliable public transport: Transport Minister
Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said the Automated Testing Station at Tehkhand would enable fitness testing of around 72,000 vehicles annually. With the addition of 50 new electric buses, the DTC fleet would reach around 6,840 buses, including approximately 5,100 electric buses. The Delhi-Rewari interstate e-bus service and public EV charging stations at Hasanpur and Ghazipur had also been launched.
He said the government’s aim was to provide clean, safe, comfortable and reliable transport to Delhiites. Efforts would also be made to strengthen the DTC, gradually move it from debt to profitability and address the legitimate demands of its employees. Under the Chief Minister’s leadership and the Prime Minister’s guidance, the government was committed to making Delhi a clean, green capital with a better public transport system.
