BMTC to run CNG buses to reduce pollution in Bangalore

Bangalore's Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is likely to purchase CNG-driven buses in the near future as the state government looks to promote pollution-free public transport in the garden city.

According to official sources, the Karnataka government has instructed BMTC to include 200 CNG buses in its fleet by April 2016. A BMTC official told Autocar Professional that the government has already asked the BMTC to prepare for CNG buses in the city.

A strong indication for CNG transport in Bangalore comes as the state-owned GAIL Gas Ltd has commenced construction of CNG filling stations in the city at four places including three at BMTC bus depots located in Sumanahalli, Peenya and Hennur. These outlets are expected to be ready by March 2016. GAIL Gas also plans to construct 60 CNG filling stations across the city in the next five years.

CNG will be supplied through the 1,000km-long pipeline laid by GAIL between Dabhol in Maharastra and Bangalore at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore. It has a capacity of 16 million metric standard cubic metres per day of natural gas. Gas supply has already commenced in February 2013 for industrial usage in Karnataka and companies like Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts have been using the gas for its 6.5 MW captive power plant.

Currently, BMTC’s fleet comprises 6,420 diesel-run buses to serve 6,218 schedules every day covering 12.47 lakh kilometres with 76,069 bus trips. It ferries around 5.02 million passengers every day, earning revenues of Rs 4.47 crore.