BMTC gets bigger, in top gear

BMTC gets bigger, in top gear

Anil Kumar Sastry

The corporation’s purview will extend to 45 km from the central bus station


BANGALORE: Amidst several shortcomings, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is geared to improve transport service within 45 km from the city centre.

Soon after constitution of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), BMTC Managing Director Upendra Tripathy had told The Hindu that the corporation would commission a survey. After three months, the corporation is all set to i mplement a comprehensive plan in a phased manner.

Construction of 34 new bus depots by acquiring over 300 acres of land taking the total to 67 depots; deployment of over 3,000 new buses and construction of several mini-bus stations are on the agenda. Some towns, namely Anekal, Malur, Devanahalli, Ramanagaram, Magadi and Doddaballapur, which are covered by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), will come under BMTC’s purview.

BMTC has paid Rs. 46 crore to Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for 190 acres of land to build new depots.

It has identified 13 places at strategic locations along the proposed peripheral ring road being built by BDA for setting up depots.
Depots

The proposed depots, each estimated to cost Rs. 2.5 crore, would come up at Hoskote, Gunjur Palya, Bidadi, Nagarabhavi, Nelamangala, Vaddarahalli, Bannerghatta, Anjanapura, Kengeri, Arishinakunte, International Airport, Shanthinagar, Madavara, Harohalli, Venkatala, Bairati, Avalahalli, Channasandra, Kodathi, Dodda Thugur, Sulikere, Machohalli, Chellaghatta, Kaggalipura, Gollahalli, Soladevanahalli, Anekal, Doddaballapura, Malur, Devanahalli, Ramanagara, Magadi, Tavarekere and Poornaprajna Layout (Uttarahalli Main Road).

He said the corporation was working out the funding pattern to take up these projects, which together might cost Rs. 3,000 crore.
Bus stations

Similarly, bus stations were planned at Anjanapura, Hessaraghatta, Kengeri, Nagarabhavi, Vidyaranyapura, Visvesvaraya Layout, Yeshwanthpur and Yelahanka V Phase.

The corporation will have to augment its fleet by adding at least 3,000 new buses in two years and shortly it will add 600 buses, according to Hemaraju, Director (Technical). More buses mean more crew and as such, BMTC will go on a recruitment spree.

The corporation advertised for recruiting 3,000 drivers and conductors, said Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) Dastagir Sharief.