Amit Shah Flags Off 300 E-Buses; Lays Foundation For High-Security Narela Jail

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday flagged off 300 new zero-emission electric buses, adding them to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet. The induction includes 195 nine-metre buses under the ‘DEVI’ category and 105 12-metre electric buses.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the low-floor, air-conditioned buses are equipped with CCTV cameras, panic buttons, GPS tracking, passenger information systems and accessibility features for persons with disabilities. She said the buses, which have zero tailpipe emissions, will help improve air quality and provide safer, quieter and more comfortable travel.

With the latest addition, Delhi’s public transport fleet has expanded to nearly 6,600 buses, including 4,845 electric and 1,755 CNG buses.

The government aims to increase the fleet to around 14,000 buses by 2028-29.

During the event, Shah also virtually laid the foundation stone for a technology-driven High-Security Prison at Narela, designed to house more than 250 inmates.

According to an official statement, the Home Ministry will contribute Rs 100 crore towards the project, while the Delhi government will bear the remaining cost.

The prison will feature a radial-axial design, AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, biometric access control, automated locking systems, body scanners, mobile signal jammers, anti-tunnelling technology, an in-house court complex and a central command centre.

Each inmate will occupy an individual cell with an attached toilet and bathing facility.

The event also saw the inauguration of electric bus depots at Narela Sector A-1 and A-4, Rithala and Kohat Enclave, along with a fully automated vehicle testing station at the Nand Nagri DTC Depot to enhance road safety and operational efficiency.

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