The Hindu : BMTC plans Rs. 100-cr. complex

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 05, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

BMTC plans Rs. 100-cr. complex

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 4. A new Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus stand at Shanthinagar was inaugurated on Wednesday although work on the Rs. 20.5- crore project was expected to be over only by this month-end.

A foundation stone for a Rs. 100-crore multi-storeyed complex was laid in the vicinity of the bus stand. Tenders for this project would be floated in a fortnight's time, said BMTC officials.

The Transport Minister, B. Ramanath Rai, said the two projects were the result of BMTC's innovative approach to serving people. By September, BMTC would introduce 1,000 new buses in the city. Besides it planned to build new depots and introduce air-conditioned buses.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the BMTC Chairman, R.V. Devaraj, said work on the Shanthinagar bus stand was started last year. It would have office space as well as parking for about 250 cars.

Besides, the BMTC depot next to it would be demolished and a new KSRTC bus stand built there.

The Rs. 100-crore complex would come up on a nine-acre plot. It would have an "air-conditioned market", a mini-theatre and a multiplex, a parking lot for 400 vehicles, 80 rest rooms, and 400 shops," Mr. Devaraj said.

The KSRTC, which had 22 Volvo buses, would get 10 more.

Profit soars

The BMTC was expected to earn a profit of Rs. 70 crore this year. "This will be ploughed back into its services," Mr. Devaraj said. Sometime ago, the BMTC had said that it would give Rs. 2,500 to the spouses of BMTC employees.

Buses for women

The BMTC had increased the number of "women only" trips to 23 from18 during morning and evening peak hours. Trips from Jayanagar were inaugurated on Tuesday. It planned to increase the trips to 100 by the end of February, the Chief Traffic Manager, Prakash, said. As of now the trips run from Jayanagar 9th block, Jayanagar IV block, Banashankari, BTM Layout, Rajajinagar, and Mahalakshmi Layout. "Response is good in the mornings, not so in the evenings," he said.

These buses had separate boards and woman conductors.

Mr. Prakash said 10 new depots were coming up at Peenya, Rajarajeswarinagar, Brindavan Extension, Hebbal, near HAL, Bidadi, Nelamangala, and Yeshwanthpur.

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