New Delhi, July 7. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched the Delhi government’s ambitious 70-lakh tree plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and flagged off 300 new air-conditioned electric buses, marking a major step towards improving the capital’s environment and promoting clean public transport.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined Amit Shah at the launch event and flagged off the new electric buses, which have now been added to the Delhi Transport Corporation’s fleet. The induction of the buses is aimed at strengthening the city’s electric mobility network, reducing vehicular emissions and improving public transport services across the national capital.
Speaking on the occasion, Amit Shah called upon citizens to actively participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, under which the Delhi government has set a target of planting 70 lakh saplings across the city this year. The campaign aims to expand Delhi’s green cover and improve air quality through public participation.
As part of the initiative, the Delhi government is promoting the Green Drive Portal, which enables residents to book plantation slots, request free saplings through the Vriksh Rath service, locate nearby government nurseries and register as Green Warriors to participate in environmental conservation activities.
The plantation drive forms part of the Ridge Forest Restoration Programme, under which native species such as peepal, banyan, neem, arjun, jamun and gular will be planted to strengthen biodiversity, increase carbon sequestration and enhance Delhi’s green cover. Officials said the initiative is intended to become a people’s movement towards building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable capital.
