Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has proposed to introduce 3,000 BS-VI buses and 7,938 electric buses over the next five years, according to a report by DHNS. However, the National Green Tribunal’s stay on the BS-VI buses has been a hurdle in the BMTC’s plan to expand its fleet of buses.
Speaking to DHNS, BMTC Managing Director C Shikha said that the plan was sent to the government last month. “We need to maintain and increase the number of buses. Of 6,500 buses, we have to scrap 4,500 buses in 5 years. The BS-VI buses will fulfill the requirements during the initial period,” she said
The state Finance Department said that they are going to approve the plan after looking at every financial aspect.
“There are several challenges to electric mobility which we plan to overcome in the next two-three years. The main problem remains the gap between operational cost and revenue. We have requested the Niti Ayog for viability gap funding,” Shikha said.
By 2023, the BMTC plans to replace all the existing buses with electric buses and the Niti Ayog has already been sent the 10,000-crore proposal from the corporation.
Report by Priyanka Pujar
