Bengaluru: While KSRTC buses are gearing up to run on bio-diesel to cut pollution, the BMTC still has a long way to go. Currently, BMTC only has two buses running on bio-diesel and they claim they want to scale up the project and include more buses.
It may be recalled that though the compressed natural gas (CNG) project was proposed a year ago, but got held up because the Union Urban Development Ministry is yet to provide sanction to 400 CNG buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) scheme. The project is unlikely to roll out unless the state government intervenes.
BMTC Managing Director Ekroop Caur told Deccan Chronicle, “We have not decided about the number of buses we want to get under bio-diesel project. However, it will be done soon.” As for CNG project, she said, “We are looking at the pros and cons and whether it will benefit the environment. We are still analysing the project. Union Urban Development Ministry is out of the picture now and in case we go ahead with the project, the state government has to help us.”
At present, the BMTC is operating over 6,700 buses. Public transport in Mumbai and Delhi, including auto rickshaws and taxis, mainly use CNG. However, the garden city is yet to follow their footsteps, even though the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said last year that the entire BMTC fleet should run on eco-friendly fuel.
BMTC had initially identified Sumanahalli and Hebbal depots to construct CNG pipelines by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), but later asked the latter to stop the work. Nearly 50 per cent of cost of procurement of CNG buses was to be borne by BMTC, 35 per cent from the Centre and 15 per cent from State.
