Delhi: Major revamp of interstate bus terminals underway, Raj Niwas officials say

All three interstate bus terminals in Delhi are undergoing a major renovation after Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena expressed dissatisfaction with the public amenities and infrastructure, directing for improvements to be made, Raj Niwas officials said on Monday.

“The renovation is expected to be completed within a month. Delhi’s three interstate bus terminals (ISBTs) – Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar, and Sarai Kale Khan – are receiving significant upgrades,” an official statement said.

The upgrades include improvements in turnaround time, bus circulation, and peripheral traffic, following the introduction of a new stand fee structure on September 15. Efforts are underway to enhance civic and other infrastructure inside and around the terminals.

On August 31, LG Saxena visited ISBT Kashmere Gate, ISBT Sarai Kale Khan, and ISBT Anand Vihar on September 9 with senior officials, highlighting numerous discrepancies, maintenance issues, and other shortcomings, and issued directives for their rectification.

The statement also said that the LG has been reviewing traffic and transport matters with senior Delhi Police and Transport Department officials weekly since August.

Also Read: ISBTs: Crumbling infrastructure fails commuters; thorough revamp promises remain unfulfilled

The Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DTIDC) has issued a compliance notice detailing the actions taken in response to the LG’s directions.

DTIDC’s team is working urgently to ensure the terminals are refurbished, with completion expected within a month, the statement further reads.

In April 2024, the Delhi government announced plans to revamp the inter-state bus terminals at Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan. However, no work has yet begun, and issues persist.

A government official stated that the initial design for transforming these terminals into multimodal hubs is complete. The upgrade promises enhanced facilities, including travellators, eco-friendly pathways, food courts, cloakrooms, and shared waiting areas.

The project will proceed once the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) approves the integrated zonal plan and the tendering process is completed.

The proposed designs for the new ISBT structures include six floors, with the top level serving as a viewing deck. The basements will be used for parking and arrival sections, while the ground floor will feature a passenger lounge. Departure zones are planned for the first three floors, with charging bays and transport offices situated above.

Additional features include ticket ATMs to simplify the ticketing process, along with shopping areas, cloakrooms, food courts, and restrooms.