Now, BMTC too facing fuel price heat

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru:

The increase in fuel prices is proving to be a hurdle for even the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Commuters in the city who are dependent on the BMTC buses have recently observed disruptions in services and are forced to look for last-minute alternatives to reach their destinations.

Several passengers across Bengaluru spoke to News Trail about the reduced number of bus trips. A flower vendor from Shankar Mutt who daily takes a bus to reach Shivajinagar, said, “Normally, the buses arrive in twenty minutes. But nowadays, it is taking much longer than an hour and when the bus arrives, it will be totally crowded.”

Speaking at a conference on Monday, the Managing Director of BMTC, Sathyavathi G, clarified that at present there is a difference of Rs 30 per litre between the diesel supplied to the retail outlet and the bulk supply of the fuel to BMTC.

Explaining the gap, the official said that the issue has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India and Government of Karnataka, which would be sorted out at the earliest.

Radhika G, Director of Security & Vigilance (S&V), BMTC, said that steps have been taken, in coordination with the police department, to ensure the top-up of diesel at the nearest available petrol bunks without any traffic hindrance and also at BMTC depots.

The BMTC officials assured that the operation of BMTC buses would be normal as usual and the travelling public wouldn’t be put through any inconvenience.