In terms of the presence of the largest fleet of vehicles comprising two, three and four wheelers in the city, Mahatma Gandhi Bus Terminal Complex (MGBS) stands apart. It is one point where despite best possible efforts, chaos prevail given the high volume of vehicles zooming in and out.
The Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS) for Hyderabad Metropolitan Area taken up by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has a special focus on what is considered as one of the largest bus stations in the world. And the field survey reports collated for the study by LEA Associates turns out to be quite revealing.
The initial study took a detailed look at the existing circulation of traffic, parking requirements and pedestrian movement among other aspects at the terminal complex spread over 79,806 square metres and has 74 platforms serving buses. According to the data collated by the study, the total number of buses touching here every day stood at 3,512 and the daily number of passengers and visitors at a whooping 1,20,000. With three accesses for the buses, two for entry and one meant for exit, the number of vehicles coming at MGBS apart from buses has been documented at 4,000 two-wheelers, 7,000 autos and around 1,000 cars.
Taking stock of the parking facilities, it noted that the complex has three designated parking lots which are primarily used for two-wheelers and a maximum of about 1,500 vehicles are found in a day. Further to its initial report, the CTS as part of Terminal Improvement Study will be evaluating the need for additional access to MGBS and internal circulation plan for its efficacy and safety of passengers and vehicles apart from the parking demand. Strategies for meeting future needs and improving existing operations of the area will be evolved while proposing short to medium term improvement plans as part of the study.
