[sustran] City buses cannot go green : BMTC in the red

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/cover-story/BMTC-in-the-red-city-buses-cannot-go-green/articleshow/46336112.cms
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BMTC in the red; city buses cannot go green
By Suchith Kidiyoor, Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Feb 23, 2015, 04.00 AM IST
[image: BMTC in the red; city buses cannot go green]
*The cash-strapped corporation claims it lacks the government's support to
induct CNG buses into its fleet, even as it continues to be a leading
contributor to rising pollution levels*


After clamouring about cutting emission levels by procuring CNG buses, the
"environment-friendly" Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC)
has now done a volte-face and decided to put its green proposal on the
backburner citing financial constraints. "CNG is turning out to be an
expensive affair, it is something that the BMTC is not in a position to
afford at the moment," a BMTC official said on condition of anonymity.
BMTC, which has over 5,500 buses in its fleet, has directed the Gas
Authority of India Limited (GAIL) not to carry out any physical work of
laying pipelines or building infrastructure at two bus depots - Sumanahalli
and Hebbal - till a final decision is taken on the issue.
"The induction of CNG buses cannot happen without financial help from the
government. We had identified two depots, Hebbal and Sumanahalli, to set up
the infrastructure. But now we have asked GAIL not carry out any physical
work in the area as we are seeking direction from the government," MD of
BMTC Ekroop Caur told Bangalore Mirror. As per the previous plan, the BMTC
was supposed to procure 271 CNG buses. The corporation had even issued
tenders for the procurement. However, that may not materialise as the
procurement of 271 buses would cost the corporation around Rs 216 crore -
each CNG bus costs more than Rs 84 lakh.
Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy had recently said that the BMTC has
incurred a loss of Rs 49 crore due to operational costs and increase in the
salary of employees. At present, the BMTC is operating around 6,700 buses
and planning to procure 500 new diesel buses.
A few months ago, the BMTC tried to procure an electric bus but that plan
was also shelved as the cost of the bus was close to Rs 3 crore.
The Karnataka High Court had recently rapped both civic authorities and the
state's pollution control board for not doing enough to curb the growing
pollution levels in the city. BMTC had even told the pollution control
board that in future it would induct CNG buses. Chairman of the Karnataka
State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Vaman Acharya, speaking to Bangalore
Mirror, said that induction of CNG buses and converting the existing fleet
to CNG was desperately needed.

"The air pollution level has reached alarming levels. It is more than
permissible limits. Induction of CNG buses will definitely bring down
pollution levels. Though the BMTC has agreed to induct CNG buses it has a
long way to go. I believe if the court comes out with an order on the
matter they will show urgency in implementing the project."
The chairman said BMTC's city buses are one of the major contributors for
increasing air pollution.
"Earlier we had asked them to scrap the Tata-Marcopolo buses as the
emission rate was very high. We have also told them that in the Transit
Traffic Management centres passengers are breathing poisonous air as the
emission level is so high. The buildings are poorly built and there is no
space for air to disperse. BMTC is yet to take action on our
recommendations," Acharya said.


*HOW EXPENSIVE IS CNG?*


*Each bus costs over: Rs 84 lakh (non AC), whereas an ordinary diesel bus
costs: Rs 40 lakh*

*Mileage per kilometre is: 2 km per kg of CNG, but a diesel bus has a
mileage of 3.8 - 4 kmper litre*

*Maintenance of CNG buses is anexpensive affair, for example in an ordinary
bus the oil needs to be changed: 12 times (during its lifespan)whereas CNG
bus needs an oil change 100 times*
*Delhi transport service incurred a loss of: Rs 2,914 cr due to operation
ofCNG buses. However, it is subsidised by* *the government, but BMTC has no
separate funding from the government*