The Delhi government is considering a major urban transformation project by setting up a new Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) on land reclaimed from the Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi. The proposal, currently under discussion between the government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), aims to improve public transport infrastructure while repurposing reclaimed landfill for civic use.

Proposal to convert the landfill site into a bus terminal

According to HT, officials said the idea of constructing a new ISBT at the Bhalswa landfill site was discussed during a recent review meeting between the Delhi government and the MCD. The plan involves utilising land reclaimed through biomining and waste-processing operations at the landfill.

Spread over nearly 70 acres, the Bhalswa landfill is one of Delhi’s largest garbage dumping grounds. Authorities have been carrying out large-scale biomining operations to remove legacy waste and reclaim land from the garbage mound. So far, around 4.5 acres of land have already been reclaimed, and the entire site is expected to be cleared by December 2026.

Officials said the reclaimed land could then be repurposed for infrastructure and public facilities. Among the key proposals is the development of an ISBT that would cater to interstate bus services and improve connectivity for commuters travelling to neighbouring states.

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Aim to reduce pressure on existing ISBTs

The proposed bus terminal is expected to reduce the heavy passenger load on existing transport hubs, particularly the busy Kashmere Gate ISBT, which currently handles a large volume of interstate buses and commuters. By creating an additional terminal in North Delhi, authorities hope to streamline traffic flow and improve passenger convenience.

A feasibility study is likely to be conducted before the project moves forward. The study will examine aspects such as traffic patterns, environmental impact, passenger demand and connectivity with existing road networks. Officials also noted that transforming the landfill site into a transport hub would mark a significant shift in Delhi’s urban planning, converting what was once a massive garbage mound into a functional civic facility.

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If implemented, the project could become one of the city’s most prominent examples of converting reclaimed landfill land into public infrastructure. Authorities say the proposal is still in the planning stage, and final decisions will depend on the results of the feasibility assessment and the progress of landfill reclamation work.