An internal review by the Delhi government has revealed a clear commuter preference for smaller 9-metre e-buses, prompting a major change in the capital’s fleet procurement strategy. Officials said these compact electric buses under the DEVI (Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector) programme navigate narrow lanes, crowded localities and sharp bends far better than the larger 12-metre buses.
A senior transport department official noted that except for the wide Outer Ring Road belt, 12-metre buses face frequent operational challenges across much of Delhi’s dense road network. “Traffic bottlenecks are widespread, especially in older parts of the city. The shift aims to improve service reliability and efficiency,” he said.
Cost is another factor — a 12-metre e-bus costs about ₹1.5 crore, while a 9-metre bus costs roughly ₹1 crore.
The government plans to induct 5,780 electric buses (2,840 for DTC and 2,940 for Cluster routes). Meanwhile, 2,442 CNG buses are still running but are expected to be phased out by year-end, and another 1,750 CNG Cluster buses will retire by 2030–31.
Procurement is routed through CESL, which has tendered 2,800 buses — half of them 9-metre models. In the next batch of 1,200 buses, the government plans to order around 800 smaller ones.
Officials said the change supports Delhi’s broader push toward fleet modernisation and electric mobility. Larger buses will remain on high-demand corridors and interstate routes, while smaller ones will improve frequency and last-mile connectivity.
However, rising accidents involving DEVI buses have raised concerns. At a recent review meeting, officials flagged multiple fatal incidents — including crashes in Shadipur, Vishwas Nagar and east Delhi — and ordered a sanitisation and retraining programme for drivers.