Passengers at the Kashmere Gate ISBT can now enjoy better amenities with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, on Thursday, inaugurating the renovated facility having an air-conditioned waiting lounge, 24X7 food court, glass elevator and escalators.
ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE
Though the Maharana Pratap ISBT has been re-designed to provide better facilities to the passengers, the original architectural design of the building, which was constructed in 1976, has been retained. The project cost the Government Rs 70 crore.
Around 2,000 buses from eight States operate from the bus station.
“I thought when we have a world class airport, why not have a bus terminal with similar facilities,” Dikshit said on the occasion. She said steps were being taken to ensure proper maintenance of the facility.
The renovation of the ISBT had overshot the Government’s deadline by several months. The agency in-charge of the project — Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal
Transit System — had pushed the completion date first from November 2012 to January 2013 and finally to May. Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami said facilities at ISBTs in Anand Vihar, Sarai Kale Khan, Narela and Dwarka will also be improved.
EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT
He said the building can now withstand strong earthquakes as structural strengthening and retrofitting were carried out.
The departure block, waiting area and food court will be centrally air-conditioned. Reverse osmosis plants have been installed to supply clean drinking water to the passengers. High-speed, secured Wi-Fi zone will allow passengers to remain connected.
Information kiosks with touch-screen have been set up for tourist information on Delhi, said an official.
To keep the building environment-friendly, a sewage treatment plant has been installed with the capacity of 1000 cubic m per day.
The sewage water will be treated and recycled to be used in the air-conditioning plant and for the purpose of horticulture and flushing of toilets.
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