New Delhi Bus Stops to Mirror Singapore and London
Delhi is preparing to overhaul its bus infrastructure by installing over 2,800 next-generation smart bus queue shelters, inspired by cutting-edge designs from Bengaluru, Navi Mumbai, Singapore and London, with a focus on commuter safety, digital convenience and sustainable city planning. In a high-level review meeting, Delhi’s Transport Minister directed officials to fast-track the initiative.
The vision is to deliver modern, accessible, and energy-efficient bus stops that improve both the aesthetics and the utility of public transport infrastructure in the national capital. He emphasised that the transformation would be integral to building a greener, more inclusive urban landscape. Officials from the Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (DTIDC) confirmed that the upcoming shelters would include stainless steel structures, digital route displays, LED lighting, and real-time arrival data. The move is set to bring Delhi in line with global standards of transit design while addressing local concerns of safety, overcrowding, poor lighting and lack of route information.
There are currently 4,627 bus queue shelter locations across the city, of which 2,021 are functional. As per the new plan, 1,397 new shelters will be constructed and 1,459 more locations have been earmarked for future development. The upgrade will bring the total number of modernised stops to more than 2,800—overhauling nearly 60% of Delhi’s current BQS infrastructure. The capital’s decision to look outward for design inspiration is rooted in functionality. Singapore’s shelters are renowned for their technology integration, London’s for inclusive design, and Navi Mumbai’s for cost-effective modular construction. All three focus on climate resilience and commuter comfort, which Delhi aims to adopt with contextual modifications to suit local weather, traffic and population density.
In line with global climate commitments, the project will prioritise low-emission construction materials and solar-compatible infrastructure. The digital systems will be powered by renewable energy where feasible. The city’s push for eco-friendly urban upgrades aligns with India’s goal of transitioning to sustainable cities and the Transport Ministry’s long-term roadmap for net-zero emissions in public mobility.
Transport department engineers are currently conducting field assessments and benchmarking exercises. The final selection of shelter design will be determined through an open design competition that encourages architectural creativity while ensuring cost efficiency and long-term maintainability. The winning design will set the blueprint for new shelters to be replicated citywide. Importantly, the shelters will cater to universal accessibility. Barrier-free pathways, braille signage, seating for the elderly, women-friendly lighting design, and CCTV-enabled security are among the key features being considered. According to officials, the design competition will explicitly mandate compliance with gender-neutral and differently-abled access norms.
The project is not just a physical infrastructure upgrade but also a cultural shift in how the city visualises public transport spaces. By introducing world-class bus shelters, the government hopes to elevate the perception of buses from being a last-resort mode of transport to a mainstream, efficient and respectable commuting option—especially crucial in decongesting roads and cutting vehicular emissions. To reduce fiscal stress and fast-track execution, the Delhi government is looking at a public-private partnership model for the construction and operation of the shelters. This approach will allow private bidders to monetise advertising space within the bus stops while ensuring their upkeep and service quality, in alignment with sustainability and commuter welfare standards.
At the same time, the Transport Department is working on rationalising bus routes to ensure seamless connections across newly upgraded shelters. Officials revealed that route synchronisation with Metro, e-rickshaws and last-mile transport services is part of the planning process, ensuring that the smart BQS act as multimodal hubs rather than isolated touchpoints. Experts from urban development think tanks have welcomed the initiative. “A well-designed bus stop can serve not just as a commuter facility but as a symbol of civic discipline, safety and urban identity,” said a researcher. “If implemented effectively, this project could redefine how Delhi moves, waits and breathes.”
The initiative represents a broader intent by Delhi’s civic bodies to prioritise design-based governance in transport planning. The long-overdue intervention in bus stop infrastructure signals a shift towards more humane and climate-conscious city development—embedding social equity, technology, and design excellence into the daily routine of millions.
Though the final timeline and budget details are yet to be publicly released, the administration remains confident that the pilot phase will begin within the next few months. Until then, Delhi’s commuters can look forward to a future where waiting for a bus might finally feel less like a struggle and more like a civic service.
