The Hindu : 1,000 new buses to be introduced

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 01, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

1,000 new buses to be introduced

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JAN. 31. At the Sixth Summit of the Bangalore Agenda Task Force on Saturday, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) unveiled its immediate and long-term plans: 1,000 new buses are to be added to its fleet by September, to increase the fleet strength to 4,331 buses by October 2005, as it promised the Supreme Court.

The BMTC will create its own brand equity with a design contest; buses will no longer look drab.

Introduction of "Parisaravahini" environment-friendly buses and air-conditioned buses on select routes is in the offing. The focus on passenger safety and comfort will be evident with more buses sporting wide-view rear mirrors, pneumatically operated doors, and intensive driver training, according to the BMTC.

As for infrastructure, the new Shantinagar Bus Station will be commissioned this month, remodelling of the Kempegowda Bus Station completed soon, and two new bus depots built by September. Sites for 15 more depots will be finalised.

The BMTC's aim is to enhance the use of public transport and help people use bus services instead of their own two-wheelers.

BSNL

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) is to increase its mobile phone capacity to 3.2 lakhs and add 12,000 more exchange lines. The offer of a second phone connection only for Internet at a flat monthly rate of Rs. 499 will materialise. Phone users in Bangalore Rural district will get CDMA Wireless Local Loop, and a total investment of Rs. 173.5 crore is be made before June to enhance telephone services.

BESCOM

The power utility will focus on technical improvements and on commissioning three new power stations and three sub-stations. It will add 120 distribution transformer centres and refurbish 1,500 km. of its distribution network. Consumers will benefit from "automatic meter reading" and billing on the spot, a transformer-wise energy audit to spot leakages, and BESCOM's Geographic Information System to quickly locate breakdowns and rectify them.

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