New Delhi: Delhi govt on Friday launched a double-decker bus service, called Dekho Meri Dilli, aimed at boosting tourism. Chief minister Rekha Gupta flagged off the vehicles. The 63-seater electric bus is equipped with safety systems and has a panoramic upper deck to allow visitors a view of Delhi’s heritage and contemporary landmarks, a senior official said. The service will start daily at 9 am from Delhi Haat. Launched by Delhi’s tourism department in collaboration with the Hinduja Group, the bus will cover Vijay Chowk, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block and South Block, National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Prime Minister’s Museum, National War Memorial and India Gate before returning to INA. The fare is fixed at Rs 500 with a 5% GST. Children aged 5-10 years will be charged Rs 300 plus GST. Tickets are available online on the Delhi tourism website and offline at designated counters across the city, including Connaught Place, INA and Indira Gandhi International Airport. Officials said that more buses will be launched in the coming months, depending on the response to the service. Evening tours are also planned and the route largely finalised, said an official, adding that since the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya closes at 6 pm, the tour will begin from the museum and then proceed to other destinations. The double-decker bus can accommodate over 63 passengers besides the driver. Officials said the service is intended for both domestic and foreign tourists and is designed to operate mostly in Lutyens’ Delhi. Gupta said the initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of development alongside heritage preservation. She noted that Delhi, known for its rich historical legacy, is also shaping a new global identity through modern landmarks such as Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, the new Parliament Building and the Central Vista. The bus service, she said, will allow tourists to experience this blend of “heritage and modernity” in a single ride. Tourism minister Kapil Mishra described the launch as more than the introduction of a vehicle, calling it an effort to place Delhi on the global tourism map. He said the capital, which has more than 1,200 monuments, offers a unique integration of ancient civilisation, British-era heritage and world-class modern infrastructure. He added that plans are under way to host global events, including an international film festival, live entertainment and a creator economy. Two double-decker buses will run now. The launch marks the revival of the double-decker bus, which operated till 1989 in Delhi. The service was phased out due as the fleet had aged.
