ISBT reforms push disorder outside

In an effort to streamline operations and declutter the bus bays at Delhi's three interstate bus terminals (ISBTs), the transport department introduced sweeping reforms in September 2024 — these included revised parking charges and a mandate for FASTag-enabled entry.

- Karn Pratap Singh and Snehil Sinha

NEW DELHI: While these measures initially helped decongest the terminals and reduce turnaround times, they have inadvertently shifted the chaos outside.

Now, traffic leading to the ISBTs is perpetually snarled. Bus drivers, unwilling to pay higher parking fees or risk penalties for overstaying beyond the 25-minute limit, routinely halt on surrounding roads. Meanwhile, the removal of food vendors from within the ISBTs has pushed them out onto footpaths and service lanes, compounding the gridlock.

A spot check by HT revealed that while the terminals themselves were relatively calm, the roads outside told another story — law enforcement was patchy, vendors operated freely, and traffic police were largely absent.

Experts said the situation could be improved with better planning, a circulation strategy, and consistent enforcement. "Where heavy traffic is expected, authorities need a clear plan — how many buses come in, at what hours, and where they should stop. Public transport must be available nearby, and violations penalised. Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) and more police presence can help," said S Velmurugan, traffic safety division head at the Central Road Research Institute.

Police officials insisted they were enforcing rules. "We issue challans to buses parked illegally or picking passengers outside the ISBT. Drivers are instructed to pick and drop only within the terminals. We also monitor automatic entry-exit logs. Anti-encroachment drives are held regularly," said Dinesh Kumar Gupta, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic Zone-II).