Delhi Budget: Metro, govt to collaborate on building two new bus terminals

The flyovers are being built by DMRC as part of the upcoming Phase IV metro lines, which consist of Janakpuri West to RK Ashram, Tughlakabad to Aerocity and Maujpur to Majlis Park routes

Expanding its role beyond creating metro infrastructure, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will work in collaboration with the government on key infrastructure projects such as the construction of double-deck flyovers and interstate bus terminals (ISBT) in the coming years, finance Minister Kailash Gahlot announced on Wednesday.

On the government’s plan to revamp Delhi’s metro stations, the minister said they plan to set up mohalla clinics at metro stations, besides expanding infrastructure for e-scooters and charging stations to improve last-mile connectivity. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo)

In this regard, Budget 2023-24 has allocated ₹320 crore for the construction of three double-deck flyovers, which will consist of a metro rail on the upper deck and a flyover below it. DMRC will also work with the government to redevelop two existing ISBTs and develop two new modern bus terminals, Gahlot said during the Budget session.

“Our government, in collaboration with DMRC, is in the process to construct three unique double decker flyovers in the Capital running from Bhajanpura to Yamuna Vihar, Azadpur to Rani Jhansi intersections, and from Saket to Pul Prahaladpur. These flyovers have been designed in such a way that it will save ₹121 crore of taxpayers‘ money,” said Gahlot.

The flyovers are being built by DMRC as part of the upcoming Phase IV metro lines, which consist of Janakpuri West to RK Ashram, Tughlakabad to Aerocity and Maujpur to Majlis Park routes.

On its redevelopment work, Gahlot said the existing ISBTs at Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan, which cater to lakhs of commuters on a daily basis, will be converted into bus ports — locations which connect the bus terminal to other modes of transportation such as railways and the RRTS corridor.

“Delhi government has partnered with DMRC to redevelop these two ISBTs through a public-private partnership model with top class amenities at par with airports. These redeveloped ISBTs can very well be called bus ports. Besides providing a host of amenities to commuters, the bus ports will also have commercial complexes which will help generate employment,” Gahlot said.

In addition, the transport department will undertake the construction of two modern bus terminals at Nehru place and Najafgarh in collaboration with DMRC. “The existing bus terminals will also be renovated soon along these lines in the coming years,” he said in his Budget speech.

On the government’s plan to revamp Delhi’s metro stations, the minister said they plan to set up mohalla clinics at metro stations, besides expanding infrastructure for e-scooters and charging stations to improve last-mile connectivity.

“We have developed a plan to set up mohalla clinics at metro stations so that the citizens can easily avail healthcare services. We have also announced an electric scooter sharing service in Dwarka under which 1,500 e-scooters will be deployed at 250 high footfall locations such as metro stations, bus depots, markets, malls and educational institutions for last-mile connectivity,” Gahlot said, adding that this will also consist of setting up more charging stations and battery-swapping stations at metro stations and bus depots.

DMRC said this collaboration was aimed at the overall infrastructural development in the city.

“DMRC is collaborating with different authorities for various infrastructure projects such as double-decker metro cum road flyovers and ISBTs. We are committed towards the overall development of infrastructure in the national capital,” said Anuj Dayal, principal executive director, corporate communications, DMRC.

In the past, DMRC has worked with the Delhi government on projects such as construction of the parking of the Delhi high court and the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in Vasant Kunj. A government official said that DMRC has a good track record in completion of time-bound projects and can execute various infrastructure-related projects, if required.