New Delhi: Delhi cabinet has approved procurement of 2,800 new electric buses which will expand the capital’s public bus transport fleet and push for cleaner mobility.CM Rekha Gupta said the addition of 2,800 zero-emission electric buses would be an important step towards improving Delhi’s air quality while providing citizens with more convenient, modern and sustainable public transport. Of the total fleet, 1,400 buses will be 12 metres long and the remaining 1,400 will be 9 metres long. These will come with modern passengers safety features such as panic buttons, CCTV cameras and comfortable seats. The 9-metre buses will be particularly useful on narrow roads and in rural areas, helping extend public transport beyond the main corridors and improving last-mile connectivity.Delhi govt had last year submitted a proposal to procure 2,800 electric buses through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a public sector company under the central govt that aggregates demand and conducts large-scale competitive bidding for electric mobility projects. Based on operational experience with Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) buses, the proposal was later revised to procure an equal number of 12-metre and 9-metre buses. CESL subsequently floated a nationwide competitive tender, a move expected to ensure competitive operating costs.The buses will be procured under Phase I of the PM e-Drive (PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) Scheme. Under the scheme, the Centre will provide financial assistance of up to ₹35 lakh for each 12-metre electric bus and ₹25 lakh for each 9-metre bus.All the 2,800 buses will be inducted under the Gross Cost Contract model, under which the operator owns and maintains the buses while being paid on a per-kilometre basis by govt. The entire fleet will be operated by Delhi Transport Corporation with the service contracts running for 12 years.“Govt is planning the rollout of these modern buses from April next year. The entire fleet is expected to be integrated into Delhi’s public transport system by Aug 2028. To ensure efficient operations and better route planning, bus routes will be rationalised in collaboration with IIT Delhi, enabling more effective deployment of the expanded electric bus fleet.,” an official said.Gupta said the induction of 2,800 buses would also reinforce the govt’s goal of expanding the city’s public bus fleet to nearly 14,000 buses by 2028-29.