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

ISBTs: In Delhi, the city’s bustling inter-state bus terminals—Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan—are failing both drivers and commuters. With drivers forced to sleep under buses in the blistering heat and commuters enduring sweltering waits due to a lack of basic amenities, the situation is dire. Despite heavy parking fees and grand plans for revamping, the terminals remain plagued by inadequate facilities, leaving those who rely on them in a state of perpetual discomfort and dismay. As the capital’s transport infrastructure crumbles, the urgent need for reform has never been clearer.

Days after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inspected the Kashmere Gate ISBT, directing a complete revamp of the bus stand, Patriot visited the other two major terminals to assess the conditions drivers, conductors and commuters face.

Anand Vihar ISBT

At Anand Vihar ISBT, drivers and staff are forced to sleep under buses to escape the sweltering afternoon heat, as no rest facilities are provided despite the high parking charges.

The lack of resting rooms and fans at the stands only worsens the situation, leaving both vehicle staff and commuters drenched in sweat.

Moreover, the absence of clean and hygienic washroom facilities exacerbates the discomfort for everyone using the terminal. After enduring long hours of driving, bus drivers find no relief, and the scarcity of food options forces them to spend their own money at substandard kiosks.

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Bus drivers’ plight

Speaking to Patriot, Karamveer (name changed), a bus driver, shared his frustrations: “The government ignores the drivers and other vehicle staff, failing to provide even basic facilities.” He emphasised the need for safe restrooms with proper security, noting that drivers work over 8-10 hours a day and require adequate rest. “In the afternoon, bus drivers and staff are forced to rest under their vehicles to escape the intense heat. Sometimes, people even urinate there. Despite long hours and demanding work, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government hasn’t addressed our issues or provided any pay hikes,” he said.

Another bus driver, Sham Singh (name changed on request), added: “The terminal charges exorbitant parking fees but offers no facilities for drivers. There are no clean toilets, no restrooms, no quality food, and no place to bathe at one of the city’s largest bus terminals.” He noted that drivers cannot even park on the road to find something to eat because of honking and police intervention. “The only option is the bus terminal, but the conditions and infrastructure are equally dismal here,” Singh said.

Commuters’ woes

Rakesh Kumar, a commuter traveling to Aligarh, remarked, “I arrived half an hour early to catch my bus, but I’m forced to endure the intense heat here since there are no fans installed on the roof to offer any relief.” He also criticised the kiosks for charging above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). “The government should ensure basic facilities for commuters, especially in the national capital,” Kumar added.

Anand Vihar ISBT is a crucial hub connecting to neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with around 1,500 interstate buses departing daily. The terminal also manages a large number of local buses, with approximately 1,800 to 2,000 DTC and cluster buses operating from there each day.

Sarai Kale Khan ISBT fares better than Anand Vihar

Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, one of the three biggest bus terminals in the national capital, caters to nearly 800 buses and more than 50,000 passengers every day. While it is not fully equipped with facilities, it is significantly better than Anand Vihar ISBT. Fans are installed at the stands for both commuters and vehicle staff, and there are benches to rest.

Cleanliness at Sarai Kale Khan ISBT is also better compared to Anand Vihar.

Public conveniences are recently being commissioned at Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, which helps drivers maintain personal hygiene. However, resting rooms are still missing, and no proper food arrangements are made for vehicle staff.

Priyadarshini, a commuter waiting for her bus, described the facilities at the stand as average, noting that the low-hanging fans offer limited relief. “The government should enforce strict measures to ban smoking and the use of tobacco products on the premises, as it inconveniences others. People are smoking openly without fear of penalties,” she said.

Drivers seek better facilities

Aman Yadav, a bus driver resting in the terminal parking, highlighted that while the terminal provides basic facilities like fans, food remains a major issue. “Drivers can rest under a fan at least, unlike other terminals without this facility. Resting rooms would be ideal, but we manage without them,” Yadav said.

He also pointed out a significant problem with local Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses breaking down, leading to traffic jams and hefty fines for other drivers.

Suraj Kumar, another bus driver, noted, “All the bus terminals are similar, with minimal facilities for vehicle staff. Only Sarai Kale Khan offers fans and clean washrooms for drivers.” He called on the government to improve facilities for drivers, including clean toilets, bathing spaces, resting rooms, and hygienic food.

Suresh Prakash, another driver, requested a salary increase. “We are paid about Rs 1.89 per kilometer, roughly Rs 15,000 a month,” he said. “Despite long shifts, we can’t afford quality education for our children. I hope the government will address this issue so bus drivers can provide better opportunities for their families.”

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ISBTS’ revamp stalled

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.

Both of Delhi’s ISBTs—Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan— continue to fail drivers and commuters due to outdated and inadequate facilities. As promises of modernisation remain stalled, the capital’s transport infrastructure is in a state of total neglect.