Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) authorities have to wait for a few more months to introduce the much-publicised electric buses in Bengaluru.
“We are waiting for the Central Government to come out with a policy pertaining to the electric buses. If the policy is implemented, it would be helpful to the BMTC to avail tax-related benefits. The implementation of the policy on electric buses has been delayed by five months,’’ Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy told reporters here on Monday.
The BMTC had a trial-launch India’s first electric bus in February 2014 and the board, after much dilly-dallying over the proposal to procure electric buses citing high costs, has finally given its in-principle clearance to induct 150 electric buses.
“We are also waiting for the reduction in cost of procuring electric buses. Earlier, each electric bus used to cost Rs 3 crore. Now, the price has come down by 50 per cent at Rs 1.50 crore. It may come down further if there is an improvement in research and development (R&D),’’ the minister said.
Elaborating on the progress in transport department, the minister said 76 new bus stations, 40 new bus depots, introduction of 653 buses for commuting in 36 cities and towns, inclusion of 7,333 new buses and 24471 new jobs in four transport corporations.
“We have commenced the process of inter-corporation transfer of employees. We have formed a committee for this purpose and the process will be completed before Ganesha festival,’’ he said.
The BMTC is expected to introduce 1500 buses out of 3,000 buses within a short period. “We have floated tenders inviting bidders to supply 1,500 buses. We get funds from the state government. As of now, we have not received any funds from the Central Government. Earlier, the Centre used to fund 80 per cent of the cost of the buses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Now, it has introduced the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transportation (AMRUT). We have not received any assistance under this scheme that focuses on toilets and other amenities,’’ the minister said.
He has also said that the percentage of breakdown of BMTC buses has come down after adding new fleet of buses to the BMTC. “There 6,500 buses in the BMTC. Breakdown of buses happens but it has come down,’’ the minister said.
Commenting on BJP leaders allegations of misusing the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) to file cases against their leaders, the minister said the complaint was lodged against B.S. Yeddyurappa and others by a BJP activist. “The ACB officers have asked Yeddyurappa to attend a preliminary inquiry. Instead of making allegations and organising protest rallies, Yeddyurappa should have attended the preliminary inquiry. If Yeddyurappa is clean, the ACB officers will file a ‘B’ report. We have not made allegations against BJP leaders when Income Tax Department officials had conducted raids on Congress ministers Ramesh Jarkiholi and D.K. Shivakumar,’’ he said.
On Indira Canteens
Criticising BJP leaders for objecting Indira Canteens, the minister said the BJP leaders were upset for naming the canteens after Indira Gandhi. “Indira Gandhi is known worldwide. She is also known as the Iron Lady. She had implemented 20-point programme during the emergency. Did we object to Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transportation (AMRUT) or Swachh Bharat programme. We have participated in those programmes. I advise BJP leaders to have a broad mind,’’ he said.
