Delhi: No more inter-state buses from Bikaner House, Himachal Bhawan
From May 1, three popular interstate bus boarding points in Delhi will no longer continue their service. So to take buses to Jaipur, Shimla, Haridwar, Manali and many other destinations, travellers will have to go to Sarai Kale Khan terminus instead of Bikaner House, Himachal Bhawan, or Chander Lok building (Mandi House). This is being done to curb pollution around the India Gate area.
Bikaner House to be hit the hardest
For decades, those looking to travel from Delhi to most destinations in nearby states could board a bus from these three points, none of which is actually notified as a bus stand. The most affected would be Bikaner House, from where over 27 bus services operate daily from 5:30am to midnight. Around 10 services operate from Himachal Bhawan.
Decision comes after SC order on curbing pollution
On March 30, the SC asked Rajasthan Roadways to stop operations at Bikaner House to check pollution in the area. "Following this, Delhi's transport department asked operators at Himachal Bhawan and Chander Lok building to shift to Sarai Kale Khan ISBT," said KK Dahiya, special commissioner (transport). If buses do not comply, enforcement teams will be authorized to impound them, he added.
But why not Kashmere Gate or Anand Vihar?
Shifting operations to Kashmere Gate or Anand Vihar was not an option, officials said, as that would have meant these buses criss-crossing others on different routes. "Buses coming from Ashram side or Dhaula Kuan have to culminate at Sarai Kale Khan, just as those coming from UP need to stop at Anand Vihar only," a transport department official said.
'This move will help check pollution, control traffic'
"It's a good move that fuel-guzzling buses are being moved out of restricted zones. Besides, route rationalization is a good thing as buses take a lot of road space and their parallel routes only create more choke points," said Sunil Dahiya, Greenpeace campaigner.
