The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will set up kiosks next to the new bus Q-shelters where commuters will find newspaper stands, area maps and vending machines offering hot and cold drinks, besides bank ATMs. The kiosks will be part of the council’s efforts to spruce up the city before the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The project will also generate revenue for the civic body.

“These kiosks will come up at the bus Q-shelters situated in busy and commercial areas, so that they are commercially viable for the NDMC and the private agency that will be involved in the project,” said an official.

The civic body will finalise the designs in the next 15 days, after private firms make their presentations on the project. NDMC officials said the designs would be selected keeping the Indian conditions in mind.

“While the concept has been borrowed from bus Q-shelters in European cities like Paris and London, we have to redesign these kiosks, protecting them from vandalism and the harsh weather conditions,” said an official.

According to council member Sima Gulati, who is on the inspection committee for the bus Q-shelters, there have been several cases of vandalism in the last six months.

“The plastic sheets meant to cover the advertisement sections and those with information provided in Braille are also missing from several bus stops, even those in the posh localities,” she said.

“The bus Q-shelters are being maintained by French outdoor advertising company JC Decaux. According to the contract, they have to replace the stolen parts each time a theft is reported. But we have to make sure that the kiosks are designed accordingly, otherwise we will end up finding our kiosks damaged and vandalised every morning,” Gulati added.

The designs, according to Gulati, will be weather-proof and have provision for protection from vandalism.

Tenders will be invited for the project once the design is finalised.