Bengaluru, Dec 27, 2023: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Tuesday that 1,400 new electric buses will be included into the fleet of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) by April 2024.
In an effort to promote green mobility in the city, the Chief Minister flagged off 100 electric buses in Bengaluru today and took a brief trip along with his deputy, DK Shivakumar.
The Chief Minister noted that as many as 120 crore women have travelled for free on state transport buses since the Congress government launched its Shakti scheme in June. Around 40 lakh people commute on BMTC buses every day, Siddharamaiah added.
He also criticised the Opposition BJP for objecting to the free bus travel scheme and questioned why the party did not implement "such pro-people schemes" when they were in power.
Outlining the positive outcomes of the Congress government’s "pro-people schemes," the Chief Minister said that the purchasing power of the people in the state has increased, and there is a boom in financial activities, boosting the state’s economy.
He said farmers, women labourers, and women from the working class can now save enough money, which helps them meet their other financial needs and increases the financial security of such families.
The Karnataka Chief Minister said that 4.30 crore people are enjoying the benefits of the guarantee schemes.
"With increased financial power, the poor and working class are being enabled to come into the mainstream. This was made possible only after Congress came into power. The previous BJP government, which failed to achieve this, is engaged in criticising us," Siddharamaiah said.
The Transport Corporation, meanwhile, stated that the Advance Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is being implemented in 10 buses to create a safe transport system for passengers and raise awareness among drivers.
Courtesy: India Today