Shortage of BMTC routes causes increase in school dropout rates

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: When life has returned to normalcy in the city in all spheres, unexplained discontinuation of bus route numbers 132 and 137 by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), after the Covid lockdown was lifted, has created a social problem.

Many School children from economically deprived sections of society, residing in Halasuru, and Shivajinagar areas, studying in the middle and high School , were forced to dropout do lack of bus facilities by the BMTC.

These students are mostly unable to afford cab services or auto services. Those that brave the situation by walking the stretch ranging between 4 to 10 km, both to and from the Schools, suffered exhaustion and were unable to sustain. Even senior citizens dependent on the BMTC bus services have suffered.

“I have contacted BMTC to resume the bus service of route numbers 132 and 137 due to the increase in the dropout rate as children are exhausted from the travel and most of them cannot afford cab services or personal vehicles to reach the area, “informed Venkatesh Thuboonakere, a concerned Teacher.

“Restarting these bus routes would make it easier for children to travel especially during examinations which will be starting from next month onwards.” The matter was raised and discussed in person and on several occasions by school and college authorities but still no trace of bus route numbers 132 and 137 has been found. The routes that the two buses cover are home to many high School and PreUniversities.