30 DTC, cluster buses caught fire in 8 years: Delhi govt

30 DTC, cluster buses caught fire in 8 years: Delhi govt

According to a transport department report, short-circuits were the most common reason behind the fire incidents that mostly occurred in buses around 12 years of age.

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The Delhi government informed the Assembly about this on Monday.

The data showed four buses caught fire this year, seven last year, two in 2021 and one in 2020.

Six buses were involved in fire incidents in 2019 while the figure stood at one each in 2017 and 2018. Five buses caught fire in 2015 and three in 2016, according to the data.

The transport department has, over the years, constituted different committees to look into the causes of fire. The common reasons have emerged to be short circuit, engine overheating and drivers flagging technical issues but the issues not being addressed.

The committees have also pointed out poor maintenance by the service provider as a reason in some cases.

According to an official, the old buses are being phased out and electric ones are being inducted.

Last week, 500 electric buses were added to the fleet, taking the number of such buses in the national capital to 1,300.

According to the Delhi government's plan, electric buses should account for 80 per cent of the fleet by 2025.