Former Infosys Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Bengaluru resident Mohandas Pai has called on the Karnataka government to significantly expand Bengaluru‘s electric bus fleet, urging it to introduce 15,000 air-conditioned (AC) electric buses to improve the city’s public transport system.

Pai’s appeal came after the Tamil Nadu government announced that all future state-run buses purchased would be air-conditioned, a move aimed at improving commuter comfort.

Pai compares Karnataka with Tamil Nadu

Reacting to the announcement on social media platform X, Pai tagged Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and said Karnataka was lagging behind its neighbouring state in modernising public transport.

“Our neighbours are progressing fast. Our government is sitting on the approved quota of 4,000 EV buses, treating our citizens shabbily and making our lives miserable. Please act. Get 15,000 EV AC buses for Bengaluru,” Pai wrote.

His remarks followed Tamil Nadu Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban’s announcement that all future government bus purchases in the state would be air-conditioned, in line with the state government’s transport policy.

Calls for better public transport

Pai criticised the Karnataka government for delays in deploying the already approved fleet of 4,000 electric buses, arguing that Bengaluru urgently requires a much larger fleet to meet the needs of its growing population.

A long-time advocate for better civic infrastructure, Pai has consistently called for greater investment in buses, Metro expansion and sustainable urban mobility to ease congestion in the city.

Tejasvi Surya raises similar concerns

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also highlighted the issue of inadequate public transport, stating that Bengaluru commuters continue to face long waiting times for buses.

In a post on X, he urged Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh and transport authorities to prioritise reliable and frequent bus services.

“Should people spend their time working, or standing on the roadside waiting?” Surya wrote, adding that he had raised the issue earlier but had seen little improvement.

The renewed calls from Pai and Surya have once again brought Bengaluru’s public transport challenges into focus, with many commuters demanding faster expansion of the city’s electric bus fleet.