Makeover for ISBT Kashmere Gate

After the Delhi Airport and New Delhi Railway Station, the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate is all set to get a complete makeover, reports Atul Mathur.

After the Delhi Airport and New Delhi Railway Station, the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate is all set to get a complete makeover.

HT Image

The Delhi government on Tuesday approved Rs 100 crore to renovate and refurbish the 33-year-old building.

Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely visited the bus terminal and asked officials to carry out the redevelopment work on a war footing.

The building will be air-conditioned. The entry and exit of the buses will also be streamlined to avoid traffic jams on roads leading to it, especially on Ring Road.

The transport department will initially renovate the basement, ground and first floors of this five-storied building.

The project is expected to be completed by June 2010.

"The building is in a shabby condition and cries for attention. Being one of the oldest ISBTs, this place is always abuzz," Lovely said.

In the first phase, the passenger area will be renovated, said Lovely.

Constructed in 1976, the building was handed over to the transport department in 1993.

Officials admitted that in the 33 years of its existence, the building was painted three-four times. Apart from that, no major renovation or maintenance has been done.

According to transport officials, over one lakh people visit the bus terminal every day.

About 2,500 inter-state and local buses also terminate and originate at the ISBT every day.

The minister said keeping such high passenger movement in mind, the terminus needed a complete overhaul.

"The façade of the building will also be changed to give it a contemporary look and the building will be connected

with the adjacent metro

station through a foot over-bridge," he said.