BMTC plans to double its fleet of Volvo buses

BMTC plans to double its fleet of Volvo buses
The Hindu

A special depot will come up near the new Shantinagar bus station

Bangalore: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is planning to double its fleet of 25 Volvo buses before year-end. But finding parking space for them is not easy.

Each of these hi-tech buses need about 20 per cent more space than other buses operating on city routes. They also need specially trained mechanics for maintenance work.

BMTC is now planning to build a depot exclusively for Volvo buses, near the new Shantinagar bus station.

The bus station building was originally designed to house a commercial complex, but that space has now been leased out to a major supermarket chain.

The Volvo bus depot is planned to come up on two acres of land adjacent to the bus station.

This too will be a multi-storey complex; the ground level will be for the buses and the upper floors will house administrative offices.

Parking space will also be provided for cars and two-wheelers.

Additional parking space

Additional parking space may be made available if two more floors are added to the bus station.

Altogether there may be space for nearly 700 cars to be parked. Both the buildings are likely to be linked through an elevated passageway.

The cost of the Volvo bus depot and commercial complex is estimated to be Rs. 30 crore. This will include the cost of the additional floors for the Shantinagar bus station.

BMTC is planning to include the project for funding under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission.

A proposal in this regard has been submitted to the Government, which is reported to have sent it to the Union Government for sanction.

For the Jawaharlal Nehru mission projects, the Union Government will contribute 35 per cent of the cost and the State Government 15 per cent.