Ahmedabad, August 1: Ahmedabad has launched its first green bus shelter as part of an experimental project aimed at making public transport infrastructure more sustainable while preserving existing trees.
This innovative shelter was developed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) near the Acher AMTS station, close to the Rajul Park Society in the Sabarmati area. Instead of removing an old tree, the design incorporates it into the structure.
The initiative is guided by Mayor Hitesh Barot, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, and Kamlesh Patel, the chairman of the standing committee, along with other municipal officials. Their goal is to create an eco-friendly, comfortable, and visually appealing public transport system.
Unlike traditional bus shelters, this structure is designed around a decades-old tree, providing passengers with natural shade, improved air quality, and protection from heat while they wait for their buses.
The AMC stated that the shelter is designed to become greener over time. Specially selected ‘Vernonia elliptica’ plants will be planted on the roof to naturally spread in the coming months.
Once fully developed, the plant-covered roof will provide additional shade, lower surface temperatures, improve surrounding air quality, and create a lush public space.
The bus shelter is constructed using sustainable and durable materials. Its double-layered roof combines weather-resistant fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) sheets and cement sheet boards, which help reduce internal temperatures.
Powder-coated mild steel poles support the structure, while ergonomic high-pressure laminate (HPL) benches are installed for passenger seating. To ensure the long-term stability of the tree and the structure, a reinforced concrete (RCC) platform has also been built around it.
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