Budget offers tax sops for e-vehicles; new buses planned

Procurement of various types of buses, exemption from road tax for electric vehicles, higher subsidy for e-rickshaw, 1,397 new bus shelters, mechanised cleaning of roads, elevated roads for bus rapid transit and re-designing roads are among steps proposed by Delhi government in the budget for 2016-17. The thrust, said Finance Minister Manish Sisodia, was to promote use of public transport and reduce pollution, for which it plans to spend ₹3,943 crore, almost 20 per cent of the Plan outlay.

The budget has set aside ₹325 crore for purchase of buses and development of bus terminals. It proposes to add 1,000 new buses under the cluster scheme, introduce 1,000 buses in the premium category through a “market driven model” to encourage the financially well-off to use public transport, and also procure 1,000 new low-floor non-AC buses during 2016-17.

Also, two inter-state bus terminals at Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar will be modernised with world class amenities, and a new inter-state bus terminal would be set up at Dwarka. About 1,397 new bus stands are proposed to be constructed under public-private partnership, said Sisodia.

To promote last mile connectivity, the government also proposes to double the subsidy to ₹30,000 for each e-rickshaw registered by the Transport Department, and to promote use of electric vehicles, it will give exemption from payment of road tax on registration.

About 248 new mini buses will be inducted, increasing the total fleet of feeder buses for Delhi Metro during 2016-17.

Electronic Ticketing Machines will be introduced in all the buses in addition to common mobility payment card for commuters in Delhi Transport Corporation buses, metro rail and cluster buses, he added.

There will be passenger information system at each bus stop to display the real-time location of buses and expected arrival time. For public transportation, a Plan outlay of ₹1,735 crore has been proposed in 2016-17.

Additionally, Delhi has allocated ₹100 crore for mechanised sweeping of roads; routine washing and cleaning of street furniture and signage; collection of debris/litter through mechanical sweepers in disposable biodegradable bags; periodical washing of kerb stones and subways; civil, electrical and horticulture work.

An outlay of ₹2,208 crore has been set aside for road infrastructure, which is 11 per cent of the total Plan outlay in 2016-17