Where are the shelters, BMTC?

Since 2009, the transport corporation has not built a single bus shelter, and commuters have to bear the brunt

Since 2009, the transport corporation has not built a single bus shelter, and commuters have to bear the brunt

Ever since the BBMP handed over the burden of constructing new bus shelters to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) in December 2009, not a single shelter has been built. While commuters continue to brave the heat, the BMTC is still in the process of identifying spots and obtaining feedback from the public for new shelters.


No escaping this: While commuters continue to brave the heat, the
BMTC is still in the process of identifying spots. Pic/Satish Badiger

In the first phase, the BMTC has decided to put up 500 shelters across the city in a short period. In reality though, most bus stops have no roofs or benches, leaving people to stand in the scorching sun.

Some of the shelters in the city were demolished by the BBMP in February last year when Transport Minister R Ashok had announced that they would be BMTC's responsibility. There are around 2,600 BMTC bus stops across Bangalore, but in most of the places the shelters are missing.

"They have been removed because of on-going road widening, Metro work and so on and will be relocated in some time. We are also facing objections in some places from residents and commercial establishments. For example, there is a stay order at Boots Bazaar in Jayanagar, and the work is on hold," said a senior BBMP official.

He added, "Apart from this, the traffic police have given us a list of bus shelters, which have to be removed and relocated as they are affecting the smooth flow of traffic."

BMTC MD, Syed Zameer Pasha told MiD DAY, "We are in the process of identifying locations for bus shelters and also garnering response from the public. We will be putting up 500 bus shelters in the first phase. We are also in consultation with the BBMP regarding this."

The BBMP had called for tenders to construct Kiosk type and 'D' type bus shelters and have given the contract to 15 private companies for 627 'D' type and 288 Kiosk type bus shelters, of which 394 and 228 shelters respectively, have been completed. The BMTC would be building any new shelters.

Sources at BBMP said that the revenue generated from the new shelters will be shared 50-50 with the BBMP.

2,600 Number of bus stops in the city
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500 Number of new bus stops to be built by the BMTC

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