New Delhi, 08 February (H.S.): In a grand ceremony held at Delhi's iconic Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off 500 brand-new electric (EV) buses alongside the inaugural inter-state e-bus service connecting Delhi and Panipat.

Addressing the gathering, BJP National President Nitin Nabin remarked that Delhi's populace had bestowed a resounding mandate upon the BJP, forging a robust and resolute administration. Marking the completion of one year in office, he hailed the induction of 500 new electric buses as a commendable and visionary initiative.

Lauding Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, he affirmed her unwavering dedication to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Delhi.Nitin Nabin contrasted the current dispensation's tangible achievements with the unfulfilled grandiose promises of preceding regimes, which yielded no discernible outcomes. He underscored that the present government has demonstrably prioritized results, exemplified by its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, digital transparency, and administrative accountability over the past year.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that this marked a historic milestone in Delhi's annals, with 500 electric buses integrated into the public transport fleet simultaneously. Consequently, Delhi's EV bus count has surpassed 4,000, positioning the capital as India's proud possessor of the nation's largest electric bus fleet. She further announced the launch of three new electric bus services between Delhi and Panipat, ensuring passengers safe, convenient, and pollution-free travel.

The Chief Minister outlined ambitious targets: scaling the EV bus fleet to 7,500 by the end of 2026 and 14,000 by 2028. She revealed that a comprehensive and efficacious EV policy is forthcoming. Unlike the previous administration, which failed to disburse declared EV subsidies, her government has allocated and ensured payment of ₹40 crore in this regard. Initiatives like Pink Cards and Mobility Cards for women are advancing apace.

Rekha Gupta reminisced that February 8, 2025, etched itself as a historic day when Delhi's voters endorsed the BJP across 48 of 70 seats, delivering an unequivocal mandate. From that juncture, the foundation for Delhi's renewed development was laid, reflecting faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the ethos of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi (Development as well as Heritage), culminating in a stable and decisive government.

After 27 years, the BJP assumed power in Delhi, instantly charting new trajectories of progress and trust. She credited all MLAs, ministers, and the team for prioritizing public service over the last 365 days, resolving long-pending, stalled, and meandering issues with relentless effort.

Presenting the government's one-year performance scorecard, the Chief Minister asserted that its efficacy should be gauged not by paper statistics but by the modern buses plying Delhi's roads and the enhanced transport amenities accruing to the common citizenry. She noted that the prior regime had bequeathed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) mired in deficits and disarray, whereas her administration is steering it toward modernity, self-reliance, and reliability.

Delhi's Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, in his address, stated that the commissioning of 500 new electric buses will further fortify public transportation. The Delhi-Panipat inter-state e-bus service spans approximately 86 kilometers, traversing key locales including Singhu Border, Rai, Murthal, and Samalkha, thereby bolstering regional connectivity.

Among the dignitaries present were Delhi BJP State President Virendra Sachdeva, Cabinet Ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, Ravindra Indraj, Kapil Mishra, alongside several MLAs and other notables.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar