Delhi's 3 ISBTs to be transformed

Monday, 10 May, 2010


After the bus fleet of the capital has been augmented, it's now makeover time for major bus terminals. In keeping with the governments agenda of giving public transport a fillip, the three major bus hubs — Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar — are soon going to be converted into multi-modal transit centres of international standards. Delhi government is in the final stages of creating an independent company for the purpose which will independently handle the upgradation and upkeep of the ISBTs.

At present, ISBT Kashmere Gate, one of the busiest bus terminals in Asia, runs from a dilapidated building which lacks even basic facilities like clean toilets, drinking water, waiting lounges and eateries for passengers. The other two terminals are running from temporary sheds and are in an even more deplorable condition.

The temporary sheds are soon going to give way to swanky buildings which state-of-the-art facilities for bus commuters. The new bus terminals will sport an international look and will have facilities like shopping areas and food courts where passengers can wait while their buses arrive. A three-star hotel will also come up at ISBT Kashmere Gate in the second phase of renovation. This commercial development will help generate revenue for the uplift and upkeep of the terminals.

The buildings will all be state-of-the-art which will be constructed as per international standards. The terminals will all be green buildings — all modes of energy conservation like heat proof design, proper lighting and ventilation are being incorporated in the design itself.

The ultimate plan is to develop ISBTs as independent multi-modal transit centres, which will offer seamless connectivity across different modes like buses, Metro, railways, taxis and autos, and form major hubs for the public transportation system of the National Capital Region (NCR).

The renovation work has finally kicked off with work orders having been issued for the first phase of restoration of ISBT Kashmere Gate this week. Last month, Delhi governments Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) had sanctioned Rs 74.16 crore for the purpose. Work on restoration of the facade, creation of facilities like toilets, waiting areas, food courts, parking lots, etc is going to be undertaken in the first phase, which will be completed before the Commonwealth Games.

"We are making a separate company under Delhi government with the sole mandate of carrying out speedy upliftment of all the ISBTs. The company will be headed by a senior bureaucrat who will be empowered to take decisions and look into all aspects of upgradation of ISBTs," said Arvinder Singh, transport minister.

The independent company will decide the modes of investment for the renovation, whether PPP or BOT, and also look into revenue generation of the upkeep of the ISBTs. Sources said that the matter will soon be discussed in the Cabinet.

The decision was reportedly taken after the initial plan to renovate ISBTs, conceived two years ago, ran into rough weather due to lack of funds.

The government has revived a part of its work starting with ISBT at Kashmere Gate now. Transport department SPV Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) has already finalized plans for modernization of the three ISBTs. Times City takes a closer look at what all to expect.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhis-3-ISBTs-to-be-transformed/articleshow/5910860.cms