43% of Bengaluru’s carbon emissions are courtesy vehicles which is why we need bodies like the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to clean up their act and stop delaying the adoption of more sustainable methods. Jhatkaa.org filed some RTIs and investigated the BMTC in Bangalore. The revelations were shocking!

Our investigation reveals that despite a stay order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), BMTC has been purchasing highly polluting diesel buses instead of clean energy ones. In addition to that, they haven’t stuck to the retirement policy of the buses and are still using climatically degrading buses that are older than 11 years.

BMTC also has no emission norms in place and their buses emit black smoke even though they claim otherwise. On top of this the corporation states that they hold surprise checks for their buses and each of their 45 depots have computerized emission testing facilities but there is no data available for any of these checks.

There is no public complaint mechanism available to complain against these issues too.

This is a great opportunity for Bengalureans to put pressure on the BMTC and demand accountability.

Given these findings, we urge BMTC to take a positive step towards clean air in Bengaluru and prioritize citizens’ health. Thus, we demand that:

• BMTC stop the use of BS I, II and III buses and give a detailed timeline to retire and replace buses that have covered 8.5 lakh Kilometres or are older than 11 years. 

• BMTC formulate an emission norm policy.

• BMTC introduce a public redressal system to register complaints.

• BMTC make available all real time data on emission checks to the public.

Sign the petition for a cleaner and healthier Bengaluru now! #BMTCcleanyourfleet