Delhi residents will have to wait a bit longer to benefit from the Mohalla Bus service, which is meant to provide last-mile connectivity. The delay is due to the transport department still finalizing the routes and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) not yet receiving the required number of buses. As a result, the full-scale operation of Mohalla buses will take more time.

According to officials, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) will soon begin trial runs on two routes. The first route will be from Indian Airline Colony (Priya Cinema) to Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station, and the second will be from Lok Kalyan Marg to Vasant Vihar.

Testing Ongoing on Other Routes

Testing is already underway on two other routes: from Pradhan Enclave Pushta to Majlis Park Metro Station and from Akshardham Metro Station to Mayur Vihar Phase 3 Paper Market Route.

A DTC official said, “DTC and DIMTS are likely to start trial runs on two new routes soon. We have set up 16 depots for parking and maintaining the buses. Work is ongoing on the charging infrastructure at these depots, which will take more time to complete.”

He added, “There has been a delay in the arrival of the buses. The department aimed to start the service by the end of August, but it may now be delayed until mid-September.”

Delhi Government’s Ambitious Plan

The Mohalla Bus service is an ambitious project by the Delhi government, which is committed to launching it before the assembly elections. A budget has been allocated for this project, and preparations have been ramped up. New depots are being set up at 16 locations, and the plan was to formally launch the service with 50 to 60 buses by the end of July. However, this launch will now be delayed.