BUS STOPS : Delhi transport department short-lists four design consultants

 New Delhi: Four design consultants have been short-listed by Delhi's transport department to give presentation before a jury next week on the designs of around 1,400 bus queue shelters to be developed across the city.

The consultants have been short-listed through a design competition announced by the department which was open for all. 

"The presentation will be made before the five-member jury comprising two government members and three experts next week. 

After final selection, the process for financial bid and contract will start," said a senior transport department official. 

There are over 4,600 notified bus stops, out of which 1,861 are new stainless steel shelters developed through public-private partnership. 

"The aim of the competition was to come up with the best design that not only brings down construction and maintenance cost as compared to the existing stainless steel bus stops but also is aesthetically appealing," the official said. 

The competition was held last month, based on the guidelines of a committee formed by the government after the problems faced by people due to lack of proper bus stands in the city were raised in Delhi Assembly. 

The transport department in the past made four failed attempts to invite companies through tenders for setting up 1,397 bus stops but no bidder came forward due to their reluctance to work in outlying parts of the city where many places do not have them. 

The transport department has plans to come up with maximum of the proposed 1,400 bus stops in outer and rural parts of Delhi, the official said.