Plan modifications pave way for hi-tech Sarai Kale Khan ISBT

Delhi will soon get its first hi-tech Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Sarai Kale Khan with the Urban Development Ministry making some modifications in 'Delhi Master Plan-2021' to change the site's land use.
The construction of a new swanky building for Sarai Kale Khan ISBT has been stuck for more than two years as the site was earmarked as a green area in the Master Plan prompting Delhi Development Authority to withhold its nod.
"The Urban Development Ministry on February 12 changed the land use from 'District Park' to 'Transportation' and with this, the Delhi government will not have to face hurdles to develop the Sarai Kale Khan ISBT," said a senior government official.

According to a Delhi government official, ISBT will be developed as a multi-modal transit centre that will integrate city bus service and railways. Thirty per cent of the land has been kept for building hotels at the ISBT, which will have airport-matching facilities.
"This ISBT will be developed with facilities for underground bus parking, car parking and designated places for autos, taxis and two-wheelers," the official said.
A complete makeover has been proposed for the ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan, which was established in 1996 and caters to nearly 800 buses and more than 50,000 passengers every day.
"The project cost is estimated to be around Rs 250 crore. New ISBT building will have separate entrances and exits for the buses, autos and taxis in order to avoid conflict between the different modes of transport," he said.

He also said that a well-planned network of foot-over bridges with travelators, escalators and elevators will also allow easy and safe movement of pedestrians between the terminal, metro and railway station. The new design is differently-abled friendly.