Ex-minister slams BJP over ‘complete collapse’ of Delhi’s public transit system

Former Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf on Tuesday lashed out at the BJP government in the Capital over the “complete collapse” of the city’s public transport system, demanding a total restructuring of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), and a full waiver of its Rs 65,000 crore loan burden.

Speaking at a press conference, Yusuf accused the BJP government, and the previous AAP government, of failing to revive the Capital’s public transport.

“DTC ridership has dropped 45 per cent since 2013,” he said, adding the daily ridership had plunged from 46.77 lakh in 2012-13 to just 22-25 lakh in 2023-24.

Yusuf said over 2,400 buses had been taken off roads in the past 18 months, while only 400 electric “Devi” buses had been deployed.

Another 1,700 were set to be phased out by March 2026, with 533 cluster buses already withdrawn — crippling services further, he added.

“Delhi needs 14,000 new buses immediately. Without that, private vehicles will continue to choke the city and worsen pollution,” he said.

Congress spokesperson Onika Mehrotra accused the BJP government of failing women commuters.

She demanded the launch of Pink Buses equipped with CCTV, panic buttons, GPS, and women staff. “Asking women to carry Aadhaar for free rides is unfair and discriminatory,” she added.