BMTC rolls out 148 non-AC e-buses with safety, eco-friendly upgrades
Bengaluru (PTI): The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Friday announced the induction of 148 non-AC electric buses from Tata Motors Ltd for public service, along with the launch of new routes under express services and package tours.
The first phase of this induction was marked by the ceremonial flag-off of 10 non-AC electric buses by State Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
By further expanding its fleet of electric buses, BMTC has taken a significant step towards promoting public transport and combating rising vehicular pollution in Bengaluru. As of now, BMTC operates a total of 1,436 electric buses across various routes in the city, it said.
"These additional 148 new non-AC electric buses, supplied by TML (Tata Motors Ltd) Smart City Mobility Solutions Ltd, are being operated under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model for a contractual period of 12 years at a rate of Rs 41.01 per kilometre per bus, inclusive of electricity charges," BMTC said in a statement.
"Financial assistance of Rs 39.08 lakh per bus has been extended under the Directorate of Urban & Land Transport (DULT) and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) scheme," it added.
According to BMTC, the operation of these electric buses is instrumental in preventing the emission of approximately 2.07 lakh kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere and contributes to saving nearly 77,000 litres of diesel daily, thereby bolstering the city’s green transport initiatives.
Some of the salient features of the new electric buses include zero-emission and environment-friendly operation, 10 panic buttons for women’s safety, FDAS (Fire Detection and Alarm System), and vehicle location tracking.
They are also equipped with features for passenger convenience and accessibility—such as a kneeling mechanism and a wheelchair ramp to enable easy boarding for senior citizens, differently-abled individuals, and wheelchair users.
Other features include request stop buttons, pneumatic doors that remain locked while the bus is in motion, and regenerative braking for enhanced energy efficiency.
As part of its upcoming electric bus projects, BMTC has also announced the deployment of 195 AC electric buses (12m length) from Ohm Global Mobility Ltd, as part of the remaining 320 buses being introduced in a phased manner—aiming for a total operational strength of 1,779 electric buses by the end of the year.
Under the PM E-Bus Sewa scheme, an additional 400 AC and 4,100 non-AC electric buses are slated for deployment, it added.
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NCLT allows Jagan's plea to cancel transfer of Saraswati Power shares to sister, mother
Hyderabad (PTI): In a relief to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the NCLT on Tuesday allowed a petition filed by the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister seeking a direction to cancel the "illegal transfer" of shares held by him and his wife in a company to his sister YS Sharmila and their mother.
In the petition filed on September 3, 2024, Jagan had sought the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Hyderabad bench to cancel, annul and nullify the transfer of shares held by him and his wife Bharathi in the company and sought reinstating their names in Saraswati Power and Industries Pvt. Ltd.
"Jagan Mohan Reddy's petition has been allowed. We are waiting for the order copy. There are some directions also. The petition filed by Jagan Mohan Reddy contending that the transfer of shares in Saraswati Power has been allowed," the YSRCP chief's counsel Y Suryanarayana told PTI.
When contacted, K Devi Prasanna Kumar, Sharmila's advocate said they will file an appeal against the order either in Appellate Tribunal or High Court.
Jagan, Bharati and his mother Vijayamma hold about 74.26 lakh (29.88 per cent), 41 lakh ( 16.30 per cent) and 1.22 crore shares (48.99 per cent), respectively, in Saraswati Power, while the rest is with Classic Realty Pvt. Ltd.
The former CM had moved the tribunal on the issue after his relations with Sharmila strained. She is presently the chief of the Andhra Pradesh Congress unit.
In the petition, Jagan said he entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sharmila wherein he said "out of love and affection," he would transfer shares held by him and his wife in the company through a gift deed to his estranged sister, subject to pending cases in respect of some properties, including attachments by the Enforcement Directorate.
The former CM said he intended to transfer the shares (Jagan's own property) in addition to Rs 200 crore that he, directly or through their mother, gave to his sister during the past decade.
Jagan, in a letter to his sister, opined that the share transfer without fulfilling the legal obligations and clearance from court would potentially have adverse implications.
He, however, expressed his desire to revoke the MoU, saying, both the siblings are no longer on the best of terms.
"It is humbly submitted that to the utter shock and surprise of the petitioners, respondent No. 1 (Saraswati Power and Industries) company wide board resolution has transferred the entire shareholding of petitioners No. 1 and 2 (Jagan and Bharathi, respectively) in favour of respondent No. 2 (Sharmila) and the entire shareholding of petitioner number three (Classic Realty, owned by the family), herein in favour of respondent No. 3 (Vijayamma)," Jagan alleged in his petition.
The YSRCP chief said Sharmila, without gratitude and regard to the well-being of her brother, conducted a series of actions that deeply hurt him and that she also made several untrue and false statements publicly.
Due to actions by his sister, there is "no love left between the two siblings", and he decided not to proceed with his expression of intent to transfer the shares/properties as envisaged under the MoU and gift deed.
After differences cropped up with his brother, Sharmila joined the Congress party last year and was made the president of its AP unit. She unsuccessfully contested from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 general elections.
