Govt to replace old buses in the City

Govt to replace old buses in the City
New Delhi, Feb 5, DHNS:

The State government has prepared a master plan to overhaul the existing urban transport system by introducing modern buses.

Transport Minister R Ashok told reporters that overhauling includes, replacing of old city buses with new ones, construction of signal-free traffic movements on ring roads and other major roads.

The government has decided to replace around 1,000 old city buses with new ones in the city in next two to three years. Besides, it is also planning to purchase another 2,000 new buses during the same period to increase its fleet strength.

At present Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has a total of 5,840 plus buses in its fleet. Under the centrally-sponsored Jawarharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, the Centre had sanctioned 1,000 buses to Bangalore city in which 700 buses have been purchased and buying of another 300 buses are under process.

The State government has selected 31 km ring road in Bangalore city for building a signal-free road in first phase. The construction of seven more flyovers and underpasses on the stretch - from Hebbal Flyover to the Central Silk Board – has already started and will complete in 2011, the Minister said.