GMDA to build 154 new bus queue shelters

GMDA’s initiative includes the development of approximately 80 new shelters between Sectors 68 and 95, from the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) to the Northern Peripheral Road

Updated on: Jun 22, 2024, 06:14:09 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has announced plans to develop 154 additional bus queue shelters (BQS) in the New Gurugram sectors to expand the city’s public transport infrastructure, said officials on Friday. The project, estimated to cost ₹33 crores, aims to improve convenience and accessibility for residents, they added.

To facilitate smoother traffic flow, bus lay-byes will be included at BQS locations wherever feasible, GMDA said officials. (HT Photo)

The initiative includes the development of approximately 80 new shelters between Sectors 68 and 95, from the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) to the Northern Peripheral Road, and 74 new shelters in sectors 99 to 115. “This strategic placement is expected to significantly improve the public transport network, ensuring better connectivity and more comfortable waiting areas for commuters across these rapidly growing sectors,” said GMDA Mobility Division’s chief general manager (traffic) RD Singhal.

To facilitate smoother traffic flow, bus lay-byes will be included at BQS locations wherever feasible, providing dedicated bus stoppage spaces for greater passenger safety as they board and disembark from the busses, said GMDA officials.

“Creating adequate infrastructure to provide robust and seamless bus services to the residents of Gurugram is being taken up by GMDA for the benefit of the public at large,” said Singhal. He added that the development aligns with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan-2031, addressing the needs of the growing population projections.

Currently, the Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL) operates 150 buses across the city in 25 routes. Additionally, 100 electric buses are expected to be added to the fleet in this financial year under the PM e-Bus Seva Scheme, introducing 32 new bus routes, said officials. They added that parallel development of the bus queue shelters has been planned by GMDA to ensure seamless bus service in the future.

Last week, GMDA floated a tender for developing a bus depot for e-buses at Sector 48, which will also include an electric substation to provide optimum charging stations for the fleet. The project, estimated to cost ₹20 crore, will cater to 100 buses, the tender said. Additionally, officials revealed that there are plans to convert the existing GMCBL depot in Sector 10 into an electric bus charging station.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More