Expert committee formed to determine routes, operational characteristics for ‘mohalla’ bus services in Delhi

The transport department of the Delhi government has taken a significant step towards enhancing the city’s transportation system by establishing an expert technical committee.

This eight-member committee, as per an official order, will be responsible for determining the routes and operational characteristics of the upcoming ‘mohalla’ bus scheme.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government intends to introduce 100 ‘mohalla’ buses in the city in the near future.

These buses aim to address the challenges posed by narrow and congested roads, as well as poorly connected residential and commercial areas, thereby ensuring last-mile connectivity for the citizens of Delhi.

Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, in collaboration with DTC MD Shilpa Shinde, who also serves as the Special Commissioner (Cluster), has appointed this expert technical committee. The order, issued on May 16, states that the committee is required to submit its recommendations to the transport department within three weeks of its formation.

According to the order, the committee’s scope of work encompasses several aspects, including the nature of the ‘mohalla’ bus services, comprehensive branding strategies, route lengths, fares, frequencies, and any other relevant considerations that the committee deems appropriate to recommend.

To accommodate the challenging road conditions and crowded areas, these community buses will be specially designed, with a focus on deploying nine-meter-long electric buses. By utilising electric buses and catering to areas where regular 12-meter buses face difficulties, the ‘mohalla’ bus scheme aims to provide a more sustainable and accessible mode of transportation.

Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot expressed his commitment to meeting the last-mile connectivity needs of all Delhi residents through the upcoming ‘mohalla’ bus scheme in a tweet. He assured that the government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will spare no effort in ensuring the success of this initiative. The establishment of the expert technical committee marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the scheme, as it will be instrumental in designing all aspects of the ‘mohalla’ bus system within the stipulated three-week timeframe.

The inclusion of the ‘mohalla’ bus scheme in this year’s budget, presented by Kailash Gahlot, who also serves as the finance minister, demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering a more sustainable and accessible transportation system in the national capital.

Leading the committee is CK Goyal, senior VP (RT) of the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS). The committee also includes members from the DTC and DMRC, representatives from the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT) and MapmyIndia, as well as two members from WRI (World Resources Institute). Additionally, a fellow from the transport department is part of the committee to provide valuable insights and expertise in shaping the ‘mohalla’ bus scheme. (With inputs from PTI)