Inter State Bus Terminal Kashmere Gate, Delhi

A Historical Landmark

Located adjacent to the old city’s historic Kashmere Gate, the ISBT carries forward a legacy. Inaugurated in 1976 as the city’s very first inter-state bus terminal, it radically changed how Delhi connected with other states, shaping travel and migration flows in Northern India. Before the opening of Sarai Kale Khan ISBT and Anand Vihar ISBT in the 1990s, Kashmere Gate was the sole major hub for all northbound and westbound road commuters.

Massive Scale and Operations

Coverage and Daily Activity

• Area: Spans roughly 13 acres (about 56,126 sq m).
• Buses Handled Daily: Over 2,600, with nearly 1,300 inter-state buses, 1,200 city and cluster buses, and about 100 all-India tourist permit buses.
• Passengers Served: Over 100,000 daily on average, and up to 150,000 in peak periods.
• Bus Bays: 60 dedicated bays, expandable by 25%, to manage future growth.

Connectivity

Kashmere Gate ISBT is the universal starting or ending point for inter-state routes to Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and beyond. It enjoys unrivaled proximity to:

• Kashmere Gate Metro Station: With direct connectivity on the Red, Yellow, and Violet lines, seamless transfers are assured for metro and bus passengers.
• Old Delhi Railway Station & Red Fort: A short auto or e-rickshaw ride away.

State-of-the-art Facilities

After its major renovation and reopening in 2013, ISBT Kashmere Gate offers an “airport-like” travel experience:

• Centralized Air Conditioning: In waiting lounges and departure areas.
• Modern Seating & Public Address Systems: For passenger comfort and real-time information.
• Digital Electronic Displays: For instant updates on departures, arrivals, and delays.
• Wi-Fi Zones and Charging Points: Keeping passengers connected and powered up.
• Food Courts & Retail: Open 24×7, offering popular chains and local eateries.
• Accessible Facilities: Ramps, elevators, and disabled-friendly washrooms.
• Security: High-resolution CCTV, secure police posts, and regular surveillance.
• Sustainable Features: RO-based water plants for clean drinking water, sewage recycling, and focused energy efficiency.

Upcoming planned upgrades will introduce even more technology: live bus tracking, automated bus bay allotment, FasTag-based entry/exit management, and real-time SMS alerts about bus schedules and waiting times.

For Every Kind of Traveler

This terminal is the “first taste of Delhi” for students, tourists, and migrants:

• Students: From Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh arrive for college or exams.
• Tourists: Begin their golden triangle or Himalayan sojourns.
• Office-goers & Migrants: Use it for weekend or festive travel, as well as daily commutes from neighboring cities.

Urban Integration and Local Impact

Positioned at the junction of National Highway 24 and the Ring Road, the ISBT is woven into Delhi’s arterial road network. The site design incorporates separate approach roads for buses, taxis, autos, and two-wheelers, maximizing smooth flow and minimizing urban congestion.

• Parking: Ample designated lots for all vehicle types.
• Multimodal Integration: Direct footbridges to metro, feeder bus parking, and well-organized drop-off/pickup zones.

Ongoing and upcoming redevelopment also aims to bring retail and small businesses into the terminal, converting old out-of-service buses into shops—a unique project to boost local business and maximize land utility.

Facing Forward: Revamp and Sustainability

Though ISBT Kashmere Gate has always been Delhi’s primary hub, city planners recognize its ongoing challenges: crowding, maintenance, unauthorized encroachments, and traffic snarls, especially at holidays and peak hours. That’s why 2024–2025 saw accelerated initiatives for a full-scale facelift:

• Faster bus turnaround times (aiming for a 30-minute goal).
• Clearing encroachment and illegal vending inside and outside the terminal.
• Repairs to the terminal structure, including ceilings, floors, pathways, and enhanced sanitation.
• Landscape upgrades and restoration of the neighboring historic wall.

The ambitious new developments—especially the two additional ISBTs planned at Tikri Border and Narela—are designed to take the load off Kashmere Gate, ensuring the area and its roads remain decongested and vibrant for decades to come.

In Summary

Kashmere Gate Inter State Bus Terminal is not just Delhi’s transportation backbone—it’s a monument to the capital’s spirit of movement, welcome, and connection. With its ongoing high-tech makeover, commitment to universal access and safety, and unmatched national connectivity, ISBT Kashmere Gate remains a crucial link between Delhi and the dreams of millions across North India.