On Tuesday, Delhi’s chief minister Sheila Dixit flagged off the first lot of a dozen ‘green’ low-floor CNG-fuelled Delhi Transport Corporation buses in Delhi. Dixit was accompanied by Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf and both took a round in a red air-conditioned bus to get a feel of features provided in the modern bus.

Two buses, among the 12 buses the DTC has received, would be used for drivers’ training purpose. Delhi CM also announced that women would be allowed to travel free of cost in DTC buses in Delhi on ‘Bhaiya Duj’, on November 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sheila Dixit said, while speaking at a ceremony organised at the India Gate lawns, that she has confidence that these modern buses, equipped with several unique features such as hydraulic doors and in-built speed governors, would help in reducing accidents on the Delhi road.

According to the report, all the buses are non air-conditioned low-floor vehicles have been coloured ‘pista green’ by using polyurethane paint on it.

The buses are complete disabled-friendly and have fitted with 230-horsepower engine, roof-mounted eco-friendly CNG cylinders, gas-leakage detection alarm system, full air-suspension, automatic transmission, anti-skid and anti-lock breaking system, pre-installed speed governors, steel radial tubeless tyres, pneumatically controlled doors, rear engine and alfa numeric dual display for the destination stands.

At beginning, the buses would start its frequencies on the DTC route no. 500 that runs between Shivaji Stadium and Saket Terminal. The conductors in the buses would have automatic ticketing machines and they will be in smart new uniform while on duty.

Delhi CM said that the buses are actually a Diwali gift to all commuters in Delhi. The induction of new low-floor buses would change the way people travel in Delhi. 525 more buses will be inducted into the DTC fleet till March 2008. Further, the number of buses would be doubled within two years from 3,000 to 6,100. The induction of new ‘green’ buses is likely to create 18,000 additional jobs in Delhi Transport Corporation. The DTC would also employ more women drivers and conductors in coming days.