Delhi Transport Crisis: 5 Buses Breaking Down Every Hour Reveals Major Public Transit Challenge

New Delhi:

Over the last two years, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has experienced an alarming rate of bus breakdowns, with an average of 112 buses failing daily across the city. According to data obtained through an RTI query, a staggering 81,869 breakdowns were documented between 2023 and 2024, equating to approximately five buses breaking down every hour, every day.

In just the first seven months of this year, the DTC control room received 21,123 reports of buses breaking down on Delhi roads. The North region alone recorded 8,598 bus breakdowns during this period.

Rohini Depot 4, operating under the North region, documented 1,008 breakdowns between January and July this year, showing improvement from 1,824 in 2023 and 1,249 in 2024 during the same timeframe.

Meanwhile, Rohini Sector 37 depot experienced a concerning surge, with 3,014 bus breakdowns recorded from January 1 to July 28 this year, compared to 686 and 1,007 during the same periods in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The depot declined to provide reasons for these failures, stating that "interrogative inquiry is not permissible under the provision of RTI Act 2025."

Narela Depot reported 3,260 bus breakdowns between January and July this year, following 3,140 and 2,970 incidents during comparable periods in 2023 and 2024.

The South region documented 8,510 breakdowns from January to July this year. Okhla Depot, which began operations on January 1 last year, recorded 2,308 breakdowns in the first seven months of this year, down from 3,514 during the same period last year.

Sarojini Nagar depot reported 6,059 breakdowns in 2023 and 5,787 in 2024. From January to July this year, it logged 2,139 incidents, while previous comparable periods showed 3,600 and 3,465 breakdowns in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

In the East region, 2,420 bus breakdowns were reported. Rajghat Depot 2 documented a concerning increase with 1,049 incidents between January and July this year, up from 222 and 480 during the same periods in 2023 and 2024.

Conversely, Rajghat Depot 1 showed improvement with 642 breakdowns from January to July this year, down from 1,700 and 1,119 in comparable periods of 2023 and 2024.

The West region recorded 1,595 breakdowns, with only two depots providing data. Mundhela Kalan depot received 467 breakdown reports from January to July this year, compared to 391 and 433 during the same timeframes in 2023 and 2024.

Bagdola Dwarka Sector 8 depot reported 1,128 breakdowns until July this year, a significant improvement from 2,261 and 2,212 during similar periods in 2023 and 2024.

DTC officials state they are working diligently to reduce these incidents. Earlier this year, they implemented a standard operating procedure aimed at removing disabled buses within 15 minutes. Quick response teams have been deployed at 30 strategic locations, complemented by a 24/7 control room to address breakdowns promptly.

For CNG buses specifically, the authority has enhanced fault investigation procedures, addressed root causes of mechanical failures, and strengthened preventive maintenance programs. Bus drivers have also received additional training on vehicle technical specifications.

Nehru Place depot officials highlighted their success in reducing breakdowns through timely intervention and root cause analysis. They recorded 199 breakdowns between January and July this year, down from 276 during the same period last year.

Sri Niwas Puri depot noted that while repair and maintenance are handled by concessionaries, DTC officials closely monitor the work. Each bus undergoes thorough inspection before returning to service, and special attention is given to vehicles with recurring breakdown issues.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized her government's commitment to reducing traffic congestion caused by bus breakdowns. "Previously, if a bus broke down in Mehrauli, repair crews would come from Narela, causing unnecessary delays. We've now implemented a system ensuring response vehicles arrive from the nearest depot," she explained.