In a decisive push to combat the capital’s chronic air pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta unveiled a comprehensive four-year action plan on January 16, emphasizing public transport expansion and electric mobility. The strategy, aimed at slashing PM2.5 levels through measurable targets, prioritizes reducing emissions from vehicles, a major contributor to Delhi’s hazardous air quality. Gupta highlighted collaboration with agencies like DDA, traffic police, MCD, PWD, and industries to enforce year-round measures, moving beyond seasonal winter action plans for sustained improvements.

At the heart of the initiative is a massive ramp-up of Delhi’s bus fleet, set to grow from its current size to 14,000 buses by March 2029. The rollout will occur in phases: 6,000 buses by December 2026, including 500 compact 7-meter models for better last-mile connectivity; 7,500 by end-2027; 10,400 by March 2028; and the full fleet by 2029. This expansion is expected to encourage public transport usage, easing traffic congestion and cutting down on private vehicle emissions. Officials noted that integrating smaller buses will address gaps in feeder services to metro stations and key hubs, making eco-friendly commuting more accessible for residents.

Complementing the bus push, the plan scales up electric vehicle infrastructure dramatically. Public charging and battery-swapping stations will surge from the existing 9,000 to 36,000 points across the city. The upcoming Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, slated for early implementation, will offer subsidies, scrappage incentives, and interest subventions to accelerate the shift to EVs, particularly for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. Gupta stressed that these measures will support middle-class families transitioning from petrol and diesel models, with potential rebates up to Rs 40,000 for two-wheeler buyers, fostering a greener urban mobility ecosystem.

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Beyond transport, the blueprint tackles other pollution sources through stringent dust control at construction sites, enhanced traffic management, and incentives for cleaner industrial practices. Agencies will monitor progress quarterly, with strict enforcement of pollution under control certificates and fines for non-compliance. The plan also explores innovative ideas like allowing app-based services such as Ola and Uber to operate shared buses, further reducing on-road vehicles.

This time-bound strategy signals Delhi’s commitment to long-term environmental health, potentially serving as a model for other Indian cities grappling with air quality issues. By 2029, experts anticipate a notable drop in pollution levels, improving public health and quality of life, provided the phased targets are met amid challenges like funding and infrastructure hurdles

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