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Loss for BMTC is natural: Ashok

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Bengaluru: Former deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok on Saturday said the current loss for the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is natural, as the major focus of this transportation service is not profit making.

Speaking to the reporters here in the city, Ashok who was the Transport Minister earlier felt that the BMTC’s loss is less in comparison to the government owned transportation service in other states. He also agreed that the BMTC was running under loss, during his tenure.

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However, he further said that the state government must reduce the fees of monthly bus passes and student passes, in addition to the reduction of bus fares in a proportionate way. “When the fuel prices were 15% high, the BMTC increased the minimum bus fare by Rs. 2”, he added. 

On Marcopolo buses

In reply the statement of former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who blamed R Ashoka for the losses incurred by the BMTC/KSRTC due to the induction of 142 Tata Marcopolo buses, Mr. Ashok said that he had no role to play as the project was sanctioned by Centre under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Earlier, the state cabinet gave its nod to scrap 142 Tata Marcopolo buses inducted by the previous BJP government, which has been a burden to the BMTC.

H.D Kumaraswamy said: “During my government, there was a reserve of Rs 450 crore in the BMTC. Due to wrong decisions by Ashoka, which are being continued by present transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, the corporation has incurred a huge loss. Despite the technical team giving a report that Marcopolo buses were not feasible, the BJP government went ahead in purchasing them,” he said, demanding a comprehensive inquiry into the purchase.

Kumaraswamy alleged that BMTC had to bear the burnt for BJP government’s wrong decision to escalate the cost to construct 10 Traffic and Transit Management Centres (TTMC). “Originally, the plan and estimates were Rs 430 crore, but the previous government enhanced it to Rs 750 crore to construct 10 TTMCs. The surplus money of BMTC was spent on TTMC construction,” he said.

 

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