BMTC Buses Still a Distant Dream for Karnataka Ramanagara Residents Despite Government Announcement

Ramanagara: Ramanagara district (Karnataka), recently renamed as Bengaluru South and rapidly developing as an extension of Greater Bengaluru, continues to be deprived of BMTC bus services even this year. While the district is emerging as an alternative hub to the state capital, the long-pending demand for BMTC connectivity from the district headquarters remains unfulfilled.
Ironically, Ramanagara comes under the charge of Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) functions under the Transport Department itself. Despite this, BMTC buses are yet to reach Ramanagara, leaving residents disappointed.
Historically, BMTC operations were approved under Section 68(c) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, allowing buses to operate up to 20 km (12 miles) from the then Bangalore City Municipal Corporation limits. Later, with the formation and expansion of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the operational limit was extended to 25 km.
During his visit to the city in September last year, Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced that BMTC services would be extended further—from 25 km to 40 km beyond BBMP limits. He had assured that this expansion would bring BMTC buses to Ramanagara, Kanakapura, and Channapatna. However, even after three months, there has been no concrete progress or official update regarding the implementation of this announcement.
Ramanagara, located just 50 km from Bengaluru, sees thousands of commuters travelling daily to the capital for work, business, and education. While some depend on trains, a large number rely on road transport. Residents believe that the introduction of BMTC services would greatly reduce travel difficulties and improve connectivity.
The state government had expanded BMTC’s operational scope in 2019 under a comprehensive area transport plan, citing Bengaluru’s rapid growth, rising population, and expanding suburban towns. As many people from nearby districts travel into the city daily, extending BMTC services was seen as a necessary step.
With Metro services already operational up to Challaghatta, locals feel that extending BMTC buses up to Ramanagara would be a logical and much-needed move. Until then, for the people of Ramanagara, the promise of BMTC buses remains just that—a promise.