Finalization of Routes & Frequency is Still a Big Question
On 28th Aug. 2024, GK1 saw new dawn when a long outstanding demand of the residents was fulfilled in the shape of a new electric 9-meter bus service.
The service was inaugurated by the Hon’ble minister Saurabh Bhardwaj & MLA Som Nath Bharti in the presence of other dignitaries at Nehru place electric bus depot. Saurabh Bhardwaj invited me specially to cut the red tape, considering my long battle for this cause, which started in the shape of a writ petition vide WP2800/2013 in the Hon’ble Delhi High court.
I, as an individual & many other residents of GK 1, have been raising their voices since a long time for the introduction of bus service, which had ceased somewhere in the late 90s. GK1 got its 1st bus service somewhere in 1965 with two routes operating at that time. One connecting old Delhi station & another connecting Regal cinema (Jantar Mantar). Over the years, demand for bus service, shifted for last mile connectivity, in view of the large network of metro stations.
In response to my writ petition, the bench of Chief Justice of Hon’ble high court passed an order in 2015, asking DMRC to introduce two buses to connect G K 1 with nearby metro stations. But somehow it never matured in the intended form.
We had meetings with the transport minister Kailash Gehlot & various officials from different departments in 2018 but nothing concrete emerged.
From 2018 onwards, we were persuading Saurab Bhardwaj to introduce at least two buses in G K 1 to connect the nearest metro stations of K.Colony, LSR, Moolchand, Hauz Khas etc. Finally, through his efforts two bus routes have been sanctioned.
However, the residents are not happy at all with the proposed routes & the suggested frequency.
Present routes shared by MLA office indicates that this bus will start from K. Colony metro station & will cover, Central school, N Block, M, S block, E Block, Pamposh, Nehru enclave, G K 1, metro station, Chirag Delhi, Panchshil & then terminate at Gitanjali enclave.
Likely frequency is 60-90 minutes.
This is not acceptable at all.
We have suggested & requested a circular route & introduction of two buses starting from M Block market, near ICICI bank, covering S/C/E Blocks & then K.Colony, LSR, Mool Chand metro stations. Taking a U turn & then covering N block & back to M Block market. One bus in clockwise direction & other in anti-clock wise direction. The frequency will be 10-15 minutes. This service will benefit the residents & thousands of service staff like maids, drivers & shop assistants etc. immensely.
In the second phase, G K 1 should be connected to GK1/Savitri cinema, Chirag Delhi & Hauz Khas metro stations.
We will continue our struggle for having meaningful & true last mile connectivity, bus service.
