GMCBL to revisit Bhangrola site as Manesar bus depot plan stalls again

Gurgaon: After multiple failed attempts to identify a suitable location for a bus depot-cum-terminal in Manesar, Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited will review the earlier choice of Bhangrola.Officials said the move aims to address growing operational challenges linked to “dead mileage” — the distance buses travel without passengers while moving to their starting points or returning to depots after completing trips — on Manesar routes.CEO of the company, Vishwajeet Choudhary, said, “We will revisit the Bhangrola site for construction of the depot and reassess the feasibility to reduce dead mileage, but availability of land remains a challenge.”GMDA had earlier explored setting up a depot at Bhangrola under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. In July 2024, the state govt approved the proposal with a 50:50 revenue-sharing arrangement between the public agencies — GMDA and MCM — and a private entity. The corporation had offered around 9.2 acres in Sector M-12A for the project. However, the proposal was shelved due to access constraints and concerns over financial viability.

Subsequently, GMDA explored developing a depot near Sector 81 to cater to Manesar and the new sectors along Dwarka Expressway. The proposal was dropped as the identified 12-acre site fell under the “open area” land-use category. Since developing public utility infrastructure on such land requires approval from the state govt, the authority scrapped the proposal.Later, GMDA proposed a bus depot-cum-terminal at Naharpur Kasan and, in Dec last year, wrote to HSIIDC seeking in-principle approval for transfer of an alternative 11.31-acre land parcel within the village revenue limits.

However, the proposal did not move forward as no response was received from HSIIDC.Manesar, which comprises a major industrial hub along with rapidly growing residential sectors and villages, does not have a dedicated bus depot despite increasing demand for city bus services. Officials said the absence of a dedicated depot in Manesar has become a major operational challenge for the public transporter, particularly due to rising dead mileage.At present, buses operating on Manesar-bound routes often travel long distances empty before beginning passenger service or after completing their final trips, increasing fuel consumption and operational costs. “A depot closer to the operational area would significantly reduce empty runs, improve fleet efficiency and support expansion of services in Manesar and adjoining sectors,” an official said.The city currently has one bus depot in Sector 10 and another in Sector 52. Another depot is under construction in Sector 48. The public transporter at present operates 150 CNG buses, and 200 electric buses are expected to join the fleet next month.