BANGALORE: For the last two years, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has been incurring a whopping loss of Rs 15 lakh per day because of the various constructions and development works in various parts of the city carried out by many boards and departments.So, you must be thinking why. Then here’s a simple explanation. The BMTC has diverted more than 4,000 regular bus routes to different localities just to accommodate the on-going development works of either the Metro, sewage construction or electricity cabling that have resulted the former in huge losses. The construction works of the Metro at the major localities in the city has pushed the BMTC to run 15,000 kms to reach destinations.This has caused them a loss of Rs 4 lakh per day, as they have not increased the bus fares.Adding more woes to the entire episode, the BMTC had to cancel 3,000 bus routes resulting in an another loss of Rs 11 lakh per day. Not to deter the development works, the BMTC has even reduced number of buses to various localities.Prabu Das, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) of BMTC says that the BMTC buses have to run an extra mile of 15,000 kilometers due to various development works. “The loss to us is true and also unbearable too. Before the Metro work began, every single bus among the total number of 5,500 had to cover 230 kms everyday. But comparing it with the present situation, each bus covers only 222 km per day. Just five years ago, we were covering 12,65,000 kms but now we are covering merely 12,21,000.” Commenting on driving a BMTC bus through different lanes due to diversions, Manjunath, BMTC driver, says, “Traffic is heavy on roads where Metro works are on. The Metro work is affecting lakhs of passengers every day. Drivers are too stressed to drive in these routes and require more time to reach destinations.” On finding out an alternative solution, K R Srinivasa, Managing Director of BMTC, says that the a permanent solution will be found once the Metro rail project sees an end.
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