Bengaluru Suspends Electric Bus Induction After K.R. Circle Accident

On July 04, 2026, Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh ordered a comprehensive study into the operation, safety, and financial viability of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) electric bus fleet. The announcement, which suspends the induction of any new electric buses in the city, was made following a recent accident involving an electric bus at K.R. Circle in Bengaluru.

Minister Suresh announced the decision after visiting the passengers who were injured in the K.R. Circle accident, which occurred on the preceding Saturday. During his visit, the Minister stated that the Karnataka state government will bear the entire medical expenses of all the passengers injured in the crash.

The transport department has instructed officials to examine the overall performance, operational issues, and functioning of the electric buses. A detailed report must be submitted to the state government before any further decisions are made regarding the fleet.

Minister Suresh noted that the recent increase in accidents involving electric buses was a primary driver behind ordering the detailed study. He explained that a decision on inducting additional electric buses into the BMTC fleet would only be taken after the government reviews the findings of the study and assesses the condition and performance of the existing vehicles.

Beyond safety concerns, the state government plans to evaluate the financial implications of the current electric bus arrangement. The fleet was originally inducted under a contract model with financial assistance from the Union government.

Under the terms of this agreement, the Karnataka government pays the private supplier more than ₹3 lakh per electric bus every month. This payment translates to an annual expenditure of over ₹36 lakh for each vehicle. The comprehensive study will evaluate whether this current contract model remains financially viable for the state.