719 bus stops in Delhi to soon get new look, upgraded facilities

Out of nearly 2,000 shelters across the city, 719 bus stops will be repaired and upgraded. (File image)

To improve the commuting experience for National Capital's bus passengers, Delhi is set to upgrade many of its bus stops with a new look and enhanced facilities.

Out of nearly 2,000 shelters across the city, 719 bus stops will be repaired and upgraded. Orange floor tiling and bus numbers in green will be part of the new aesthetic, The Indian Express reported.

Malviya Nagar, Green Park, Arjun Nagar, Nehru Place, DDU Marg, Ludlow Castle, Model Town, and Civil Lines are among other locations where these bus stops will get an upgrade.

“Over time, the infrastructure of a bus stop has evolved from a simple pole and sign to a rudimentary shelter, and more recently to sophisticated structures… These shelters also need repair and upgradation… Providing aesthetically designed and superior quality shelters does not just improve branding but is also seen as a symbol of good governance,” a senior official from the Transport Department was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

“The contract of the current company looking after the maintenance of these shelters is expiring. The government has invited bids and is planning to carry out maintenance and repair of these bus stops in a public-private-partnership model… The selected bidder will upgrade the existing bus shelters, platform, and flooring, including, but not limited to, any damaged part of the bus shelter structure or its components,” officials added.

Currently, the stops sport bus numbers that are routed to each stop. This will not change under the new design. Steel frames, space for outdoor advertisement, and a see-through roof will also remain the same, the report added.

The tender floated by Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited elaborates on the design: “Dark orange coloured shade prefab cement concrete tiles shall be provided, wherever required, in the flooring over the base of lean cement concrete in the area not less than the area covered by the bus shelter. Front facade (bus shelter name plate) — in the centre, the name of the particular bus shelter; on the right, the ideal bus route number available at that stop…”

As per the report, the advertisement space will be restricted to the prevailing norms, and as per existing DTC bus shelters in MCD areas. The total advertisement area will not exceed 280 sqft in total.

As part of the makeover, waterproof lighting will be installed to make the bus stops all-weather friendly. Damaged roofs of all bus shelters will be replaced with new polycarbonate sheets. To avoid any inconvenience to the public, work will be carried out at night. Officials said the concessionaire selected will develop a web portal that will indicate the date of advertisements fixed, removed, and cleaning details, the report added.