The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has rolled out a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure swift removal of broken-down buses in the national capital. Under this initiative, cranes and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been stationed at 30 key locations across the city to monitor and act promptly on bus breakdowns.
According to the newly introduced SOP, faulty buses must be removed within 15 minutes of a breakdown. This move comes amid rising concerns over daily bus breakdowns, especially in high-traffic areas such as ISBT Kashmere Gate, Minto Bridge, Sarai Kale Khan, ITO, AIIMS Flyover, and Dhaula Kuan.
A senior official stated, “The buses purchased in 2010 have reached the end of their service life, and their Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) have expired, so the government plans to remove them from the roads.”
The SOP outlines that QRTs must respond within 5 minutes of receiving an alert. Once on-site, the buses will be towed to the nearest depot within 15 minutes. To support this effort, a 24×7 control room has been established, which will also monitor waterlogging issues in the city.
To ensure smooth implementation, 100 field operation teams and 70 mobile bike teams have been deployed. These mobile teams are equipped to fix on-site issues such as brake failure and minor mechanical faults.
This initiative is part of the Delhi government’s larger strategy to enhance the city’s transport infrastructure. A key focus remains the removal of old, unfit buses that are no longer safe or efficient.
Additionally, the Delhi government has ambitious plans to commercialize bus depots, with an expected revenue generation of Rs 2600 crore.
As part of its commitment to sustainable transport, the government had also launched mini electric buses, known as DEVI, on May 2. These e-buses aim to improve last-mile connectivity, and more are expected to be deployed soon to strengthen Delhi’s eco-friendly public transport network.