The Delhi government on Thursday decided to restore the bus parking system at ISBT in Anand Vihar – one of the 13 pollution hotspots identified in the capital – on a temporary basis.
According to a senior official, there was a parking facility at ISBT earlier but it was closed last October, as buses did not vacate the parking space easily.
“But now, as soon as buses from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand receive passengers at ISBT, they exit the station, stop and wait for more passengers. This is not only a major source of emissions but also causes traffic congestion,” the official said.
While inspecting the area, nodal officer Badal Kumar said, “If the bus parking system is restored here, it will help in curbing the problem of illegal buses parked outside the station.”
Keeping this in mind, the Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DTIDC), late on Thursday, issued an order to implement a new parking system for buses at Anand Vihar ISBT. Due to high levels of pollution and air quality in the area, the system has been introduced on a temporary basis.
Under the order, buses will not be allowed to stand for a long period after dropping off passengers. Parking will be free for the first 30 minutes. After that, a fee of Rs 100 will be charged for parking between 30 minutes and 8 hours, and Rs 200 for parking between 8 and 24 hours. DTIDC also clarified that no bus will be allowed to park for more than 24 hours, and violations will result in penalties.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) is scheduled to install fog sprinkler systems in Anand Vihar to combat air pollution, officials told PTI on Thursday.
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This will be the fourth most polluted site in the city as the PWD has planned to install a dust suppression mechanism. Before this, projects were also launched in Narela, Bawana and Jahangirpuri areas, which are among the 13 most polluted sites.
“Sprinklers will be installed on the central ends of roads in Anand Vihar and Vivek Vihar. Tenders have been invited for the project,” a PWD official said. The work will be carried out for Rs 2 crore and will be completed in 30 days, officials added.
Earlier, AAP had claimed that water was being sprayed day and night outside the Anand Vihar ISBT pollution plant to “artificially lower AQI readings”. The BJP denied the charge, calling it foolish and politically motivated.
(tags for translation) Buses can be parked at Anand Vihar ISBT
