Delhi Transport Minister Sankhendra Singh said the 18‑route plan is set to launch before Diwali, offering a new government bus link to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The announcement follows a draft reciprocal transport agreement released last August, which already mapped out 18 interstate corridors.
But the routes will not all begin at once. The first phase will see only two to three services, the minister added, with the rest contingent on a committee’s final report.
— The agreement, valid for ten years, details bus specifications: diesel must meet BS‑VI or newer norms, while CNG and electric options are allowed. Safety standards include vehicle‑tracking systems and emergency buttons.
Yet the plan also opens the door for private operators to run under prescribed rules, a move that could ease the burden on commuters who presently rely on private coaches.
The committee is working on routes, fares, and other logistics. Once its report is submitted in early September, Delhi will decide which services will run before Diwali and Chhath.