Reorganising Delhi’s ISBTs: State-specific buses to operate from dedicated terminals under new plan

In a major relief for travellers opting for buses in Delhi-NCR, the Transport Department is planning to decentralise inter-state bus operations, The Indian Express reported.. This plan also aims to cut down traffic congestion on roads, travel time and vehicular pollution.

Under this plan, people wanting to travel to Uttar Pradesh or Bihar could directly board a bus from Anand Vihar Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT). Similarly those wanting to got to Punjab or the hills can hop on one from Kashmere Gate. 

Delhi has three Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) –  Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar, and Sarai Kale Khan – which serve as starting and ending points for inter-state buses to various states and cities.

A senior official told IE that at the moment, there is no “systematic segregation”. “A lot of buses originating and terminating at Anand Vihar also ply from Kashmere Gate…this also includes private buses…leading to heavy traffic snarls on roads and creating difficulties for passengers…Under this plan, buses from a certain state can originate and terminate only at a dedicated ISBT,” they added. The officials stated that it will be modeled similarly to Delhi’s railway stations.

“There is a method to departures and arrivals at Sarai Rohilla, New Delhi, Old Delhi and Nizamuddin stations…We are planning something similar for buses. For instance, if I have to go to Bihar, I know the bus will ply only from Anand Vihar…and need not go to Kashmere Gate…This plan will help tackle congestion on roads and make it convenient for people,” the official added.

The Transport Department has sought comments from the public and stakeholders.

Take a look at the plan

• Buses from Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Nepal, and other northern states will operate from ISBT Kashmere Gate.
• Buses serving Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and other eastern states will operate from ISBT Anand Vihar.
• Buses traveling to and from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and other southern and western states will operate from ISBT Sarai Kale Khan.