logo
DTC to launch 100 interstate e-buses

DTC to launch 100 interstate e-buses

Hindustan Times07-06-2025
In a move towards sustainable mobility, the city is set to roll out 100 electric inter-state buses under the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), with operations expected to begin soon across 17 key routes, officials said on Friday. The decision was announced on Thursday during the DTC board meeting chaired by transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.
Several high-demand corridors connecting the capital to neighbouring states and prominent pilgrimage destinations like Haridwar, Ayodhya, Rishikesh, Meerut and Baghpat are some of the initial proposed routes, around 250 to 300 kms from Delhi. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has also been consulted to check the feasibility of operating buses along these routes, said officials.
The initiative aligns with the Delhi government's 'Green Delhi, Clean Delhi' campaign and the broader development blueprint under the 'Viksit Sankalp Yatra', said Singh.
'These electric inter-state buses mark a major step in our sustainable mobility agenda which will improve access to neighbouring areas and pilgrimage hubs and reduce pollution levels in Delhi,' said Singh.
The new Type-3 electric buses will be operated by DTC's existing workforce, ensuring a smooth integration into current operations. Senior officials confirmed that religious routes have been prioritized to meet growing demand from commuters travelling to popular pilgrimage sites. Type-3 buses are bigger vehicles used mostly on longer routes with more seating or even sleeping space.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MEA Shuts Down Rumours And Rejects Claims of India Suspending US Bilateral Agreements
MEA Shuts Down Rumours And Rejects Claims of India Suspending US Bilateral Agreements

India.com

time3 hours ago

  • India.com

MEA Shuts Down Rumours And Rejects Claims of India Suspending US Bilateral Agreements

As the tariff row between India and the US continues, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday fact-checked reports that are making rounds on social media stating that the Indian government is reviewing the list of United States products exempted from tariffs. In a post on X, the fact-check unit of MEA has debunked the fake claims. This comes days after the United States President Donald Trump signed the executive order imposing revised tariffs for 70 countries, including India and Pakistan. Tariffs imposed on India's neighbouring countries are less than India's 25 percent, except for Myanmar at 40 percent. The new tariff for Pakistan is 19 percent, Afghanistan 15 percent, Bangladesh 20 percent, Indonesia 19 percent, Japan 15 percent, and Sri Lanka 20 percent. This is FAKE News!#MEAFactCheck — MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) August 3, 2025 In another post on the fact-check handle, MEA also refuted the claims that India is considering suspending or reviewing certain bilateral agreements with the U.S. "Disinformation being spread on X," the post read. Disinformation being spread on X.#MEAFactCheck — MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) August 3, 2025 No India-US F-35 Discussion? Earlier, Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply that there has been no formal discussion on F-35 fighter jets with the US. Singh was responding to questions raised by Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade, who enquired about the relationship with the US on military assistance. On the role of American diplomats to stop hostilities between India and Pakistan, MoS Singh stated that there were a number of diplomatic conversations with various countries, including the US. He added that the discussion to cease military action took place directly between the two nations, and it was initiated at Islamabad's request. Trump's Oil Deal With Pakistan After Trump announced a trade agreement with Pakistan to explore a 'massive oil reserve,' a prominent Baloch leader, Mir Yar Baloch, publicly rejected Islamabad's claim over the resource-rich territory, asserting that the oil, gas, and mineral reserves lie within the sovereign territory of Balochistan, not Pakistan. In a letter addressed to Trump and shared via X, Mir Yar Baloch declared that Pakistan is making false claims to access the region's mineral wealth for financial gain. He emphasised that the resources, including rare earth elements, copper, lithium, uranium, and oil, belong exclusively to the Baloch people and cannot be bartered or sold by the Pakistani state. India's Oil Purchase Earlier, Trump on Friday (local time) claimed that India may cease purchasing Russian oil, calling it "a good step" if confirmed. However, ANI reported, citing sources, that Indian oil refiners continue to source oil from Russian suppliers.

Delayed project possession and missed EMIs: Here's how it can impact your CIBIL score
Delayed project possession and missed EMIs: Here's how it can impact your CIBIL score

Hindustan Times

time10 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Delayed project possession and missed EMIs: Here's how it can impact your CIBIL score

Rohit Singh, a 36-year-old mid-level IT professional in Pune, booked a 2-BHK flat in 2021 for ₹78 lakh, expecting possession by August 2023. To fund the purchase, he took a home loan of ₹65 lakh, with an EMI of ₹52,000 per month. However, due to regulatory delays and cash flow issues faced by the developer, the project stalled, and handover was pushed indefinitely. Delayed real estate projects: Any default, regardless of the reason, is recorded in the borrower's credit history and can lead to a significant drop in the credit score. (Photo for representational purposes only)(Pixabay) Singh was forced to continue living in a rented apartment, paying ₹27,000 in monthly rent in addition to the EMI. With no tax benefits from possession and no rental income, the ₹79,000 monthly outgo severely strained his finances. His savings quickly depleted, and he began defaulting on utility bills and pausing SIPs and insurance premiums. Within five months, he delayed two EMI payments, which impacted his credit score and triggered penalty interest from the bank. 'Borrowers facing delayed flat possession are caught between a rock and a hard place as they need to pay EMI as well as in many cases rent for the existing accommodation,' says Abhishek Kumar, a Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)-registered investment advisor (RIA), and founder and chief investment advisor of SahajMoney, a financial planning firm. Impact on borrowers Even if there is a delay in possession, it is recommended that borrowers keep on making the EMI payments on time. Starting from affecting your credit score, not paying your EMIs will land you in all sorts of trouble. Banks will simply check which customer's EMI has bounced. They are not obligated nor do they have the systems in place to check why it bounced. 'So, yes, if you miss an EMI because your house hasn't been delivered yet and you're stuck paying both rent and loan, your CIBIL score will still take a hit,' says Siddarth Jain, CFO at MinEmi, a web application that utilizes AI to help users optimize their loan and credit card choices. Also Read: Has your real estate developer delayed possession of your flat? Here's how homebuyers can manage the EMI and rent burden At present, there is limited formal relief available for borrowers in such situations. Lenders generally assess defaults on a case-by-case basis, and any relaxation or restructuring is at their discretion. 'Credit bureaus rely solely on the data provided by lenders; they do not investigate the reasons behind defaults. As a result, even if the default is due to a delay in possession, it is recorded as a missed payment unless the lender intervenes,' says Raoul Kapoor, Co-CEO, Andromeda Sales and Distribution, a loan distribution company. Any default, regardless of the reason, is recorded in the borrower's credit history and can lead to a significant drop in the credit score. This, in turn, reduces the borrower's chances of getting future loans or may result in higher interest rates. Also Read: Section 54: Can a wife claim tax exemption by selling flats gifted by her husband and reinvesting in a new property? 'Rebuilding a damaged credit score is a slow process and may take years of consistent repayment and financial discipline to recover,' says Kapoor. What can you do to minimise the impact If you're stuck with delayed possession, ask your bank if they offer a pre-EMI option. Under this structure, you only pay the interest portion of your loan until you actually get possession. 'This significantly lowers your monthly outgo for a while. It's similar to how an education loan works, interest accumulates while you study, and full repayment begins once you graduate. For homebuyers, this can ease the pressure during the construction phase,' says Adhil Shetty, CEO, a fintech portal. Lenders are often open to negotiations. If you explain your situation, say, construction is delayed and you're struggling to manage rent and EMI, they might offer a moratorium. 'For example, they could allow you to defer payments for six months, with the accumulated interest added later. It's not free money, but it gives you breathing space. Many borrowers are unaware that such arrangements are possible if they simply ask,' says Shetty. Anagh Pal is a personal finance expert who writes on real estate, tax, insurance, mutual funds and other topics If you're stuck with delayed possession, ask your bank if they offer a pre-EMI option. Under this structure, you only pay the interest portion of your loan until you actually get possession(HT Graphics) Early and transparent communication with the lender is thus crucial to negotiate suitable terms. Of course, one needs to remember that under these options you may get a temporary relief but the total cost of the loan increases.

Like a slap on face: For drivers of BluSmart, a tough afterlife
Like a slap on face: For drivers of BluSmart, a tough afterlife

Time of India

time13 hours ago

  • Time of India

Like a slap on face: For drivers of BluSmart, a tough afterlife

They were the faces behind the green revolution in India's ride-hailing sector — the drivers who steered BluSmart 's fleet of electric cabs to success in Gurgaon, Delhi and Bengaluru. With their crisp uniforms and courteous demeanour, they helped build a loyal customer base that valued punctuality and reliability. Founded in 2019, this all-EV fleet was soon challenging Uber and Ola. But their world came crashing down this April when BluSmart abruptly stopped operations, leaving nearly 10,000 drivers stranded at the crossroads of uncertainty. So sudden was BluSmart's demise that many drivers were still in the middle of rides when the company stopped taking bookings. For many like Amarjeet Singh, the shutdown was nothing short of devastation. Having recently brought his wife and mother to Delhi and invested in a new motorcycle with a bank loan, the BluSmart driver's dreams of a stable family life were shattered overnight. "It felt like a tight slap on my face, as if someone was mocking me. I was so stressed. I got married earlier this year and thought I would finally be able to live a happy life with my wife. But…," says Singh, who has since found work as a personal driver. Affected by financial turmoil of Gensol, a company it shared founders with and from which it leased EVs, BluSmart recently went into insolvency, dimming hopes that it could bounce back in the near future. BluSmart had positioned itself as a driver-friendly alternative to conventional ride-hailing services . Unlike Ola and Uber, drivers here didn't need to own or rent vehicles. The company provided electric cars, promised weekly payouts, medical insurance up to Rs 1 lakh, and flexible schedules. Most drivers earned between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000 a month. The aftermath of the shutdown was brutal for drivers. Mukesh Kumar, who now works as a family driver in Delhi, says, "I made nearly Rs 30,000-35,000 a month, and it was all mine. No EMIs, no CNG costs." He misses the fixed schedules and incentive-based payments of BluSmart. For Kamil Hussain, the transition has been harsh. Now driving a rented car for other ride-hailing services, he has to get used to the cutthroat competition of earning a commission and the trying hours one needs to put in for it. "I pay Rs 1,100 daily as rent for the cab. On my best days, I earn Rs 3,000. But there's rent and fuel. So imagine where my earning has gone. I am not alone. There are so many drivers like me." Deepak Kumar was one of those who had read early signs of trouble at BluSmart. He secured a new job just before the shutdown. "By March, cars had maintenance issues, and roadside assistance had become unreliable. For instance, when we'd go to the BluSmart hub, cars would have punctures or faults, taking hours to fix. Once, my car broke down on the highway. It took four hours to get help from the company," he says. These signs were enough for Kumar to make up his mind. "People were already talking about it. I sensed it was time to move on." In Bengaluru, Mohammad Illyas has been idle since losing his job. "Sometimes, I do odd jobs for private travel, mostly out of station. Otherwise, I don't have a regular job. It's getting difficult to manage expenses in a city like Bengaluru," he says. Drivers recalled being asked to abandon their vehicles in the middle of their shift and make their own way home the day the company stopped taking bookings and a brief communication was sent to them. A six-year relationship was snapped in seconds. "I was in Gurgaon when I got a call saying there would be no more rides from tomorrow. We were told to leave the cab wherever we were and return home. People were in far-off locations. They had to make arrangements to get back on their own," a driver who requested not to be named told TOI. Adding to their woes, many claim their dues remain unpaid, with no company representative available to address their concerns. "The company's registered office in Gurgaon shut down. Phone numbers are no longer in use," says the driver quoted above. Today, BluSmart's website still displays smiling photos of drivers and the tagline, "Drive with BluSmart and be the driver of real change!" But for thousands of drivers like Singh or Illyas, the reality is starkly different. "It distinguished us from the rest. Now, we're back to being like everyone else," says Illyas.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store