Delhi L-G pushes for major reforms at Kashmere Gate bus stand

The Delhi Government would soon notify new rates and norms for buses at interstate terminals to improve the operations, Raj Niwas officials said on Sunday.

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This was announced after Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena inspected the Maharana Pratap Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate on August 31 and subsequently held a high-level meeting that was attended by Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and senior officials from the Delhi Police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

‘Focus on efficiency, equality’

We are focusing on efficiency and equality. Both government and private buses should pay the same parking fees and follow the same turnaround timelines. — VK Saxena, Lieutenant-Governor

During the meeting, several reforms were discussed. These reforms aim to streamline bus movements and maximise the terminal’s utilisation, which has been functioning well below its capacity.

“We are focusing on efficiency and equality. Both government and private buses should pay the same parking fees and follow the same turnaround timelines,” said L-G Saxena. The ISBT currently handles 1,700 buses daily, though it has a potential to accommodate 3,000.

One of the key changes involves equalising parking rates for both government and private buses. Private buses, which currently pay higher fees, often park illegally outside the ISBT to avoid charges. This practice contributes to traffic congestion and revenue loss for state-run buses. “The underutilisation of the ISBT due to these rate differences is leading to traffic snarls and revenue leakage. By bringing equality in charges, we will not only streamline operations but also decongest roads outside the terminal,” said a senior transport official.

Under the new norms, buses will be charged Rs 500 + GST for stays up to 25 minutes, regardless of whether they are government or private. If a bus overstays, penalties will be imposed incrementally every 5 minutes, starting from Rs 50 + GST for a stay of up to 30 minutes and increasing proportionately. “Buses will have a 25-minute window for parking and quick turnaround. Delays beyond this will incur penalties to encourage timely departures,” explained the official.

The new rules also mandate the use of FASTag for all buses entering the ISBT. Buses without FASTags will be required to obtain one at a facility outside the terminal before being granted entry. “The use of FASTag will eliminate human interference and ensure accurate tracking of each bus’s stay duration,” said Saxena.

The L-G, who has been actively reviewing traffic and transport issues in Delhi, had previously expressed concern over the deteriorating infrastructure at the ISBT. “The current infrastructure is not sufficient to handle the load, and the turnaround time of 45-60 minutes is causing traffic bottlenecks in the surrounding areas,” he had remarked during his visit to the terminal.

By reducing turnaround times and implementing stricter parking norms, the new rules are expected to ease congestion along major routes near the terminal, including Tis Hazari, Civil Lines and Sadar Bazar. Saxena also stressed the need for improved infrastructure and sanitation at the terminal, which, he said, would be addressed in the next phase of the overhaul.

“We are taking immediate steps to improve the operational efficiency, but a larger plan is also underway to enhance the facilities and make the ISBT a more user-friendly space,” he added.

Once these reforms are implemented, the ISBT is expected to function at its full capacity, benefiting both passengers and operators, while easing traffic in key parts of central Delhi.