Delhi transition: CNG buses to be phased out by 2031; electric fleet expands, DTC & cluster vehicles on exit timeline

NEW DELHI: Delhi is likely to phase out all existing CNG buses by Aug 2031. Quoting Delhi govt details, MoS for housing and urban affairs Tokhan Sahu told Rajya Sabha on Monday that currently only electric buses are being inducted into the fleet.

In a written reply, he shared with the House detailed timelines for retiring both Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Cluster CNG buses - attributing data to information provided by the Delhi govt. JDelhi has 5,691 buses, including electric ones, Sahu said.

While 3,203 buses are with the transport department, the remaining 2,488 are Cluster buses. "The govt of NCT of Delhi has reported that the ratio of buses to be provided by DTC and private Clusters should be 50:50 of 11,000 buses," he said.

Out of 5,691, there are 2,743 CNG buses, including 993 DTC and 1,750 cluster buses, which will be phased out by Aug 2031, according to the details.

He said all cluster buses are being inducted on the gross cost contract (GCC) model by the transport department, adding that during the last five years, no funds have been released by the central or Delhi govt to DTC for the purchase of new CNG buses.

According to the minister's reply, the existing CNG fleet of 993 DTC buses, older than 10 years, will be phased out by 2026-27, while 1,750 similar vehicles under private clusters will be phased out by Aug 2031.

Most of DTC's CNG low-floor buses were procured during the Commonwealth Games 2010.