Bengaluru: The wait for electric buses in Bengaluru will finally end as the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has proposed to induct 7,938 electric buses and 3,000 BS VI compliant buses over the next five years. The corporation has also decided to scrap most of its existing fleet during the period.
The step was taken after the National Green Tribunal stayed the induction of BS IV diesel buses and suggested the use of CNG buses. A senior BMTC official told Deccan Chronicle, “We sent the plan to the government last month. We need to maintain and increase the number of buses. Of the 6,500 buses, we have to scrap around 4,500 in five years and we have to convert the fleet to electric buses.” The sources also confirmed that the BMTC top brass has sent the proposal to the state finance department for its views. “The finance department will take a considered view after looking into every aspect of the state’s finances. A decision may be taken during the budget process. Also, the corporation has planned a complete shift to electric buses by 2023,” the official said.
The corporation has sent a Rs 10,000-crore proposal to the Niti Aayog to facilitate the shift over the next five years. The 7,938 electric buses will be procured under the operational expenditure model.
