BANGALORE: For Kaverappa, every drop of diesel is precious. No wonder then that the Bangalore Metropolitan Corporation (BMTC) bus driver was felicitated by transport minister R Ramalinga Reddy for "eco driving" - ferrying buses with low amount of fuel on a daily basis.
There's another feather to his cap. In his 22-year-old career, Kaverappa has never been involved in a single accident. Speaking to TOI, an elated Kaverappa said, "I am happy because it is not easy to save diesel on the busy roads of Bangalore. I drive my vehicle such that it consumes less amount of fuel."
Kaverappa was among 17 BMTC drivers and mechanics who were honoured on Tuesday. The event was organized jointly by BMTC, Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) and Energy Conservation Centre, Japan.
People are not aware about the importance of fuel conservation, said V Mudaligowda, another driver. "I switch off the engine at signals and during traffic jams. That's my mantra to save fuel," he added.
Advising the youth to conserve fuel, he said it's best to avoid overuse of accelerator and clutch where the road gradient is low. He said if a bus engine is switched on for one hour during traffic jams, it consumes 10 litres of diesel.
Parameshwar R Madiwal, another bus driver, urged college and school students to use public transport instead of bikes and cars to save fuel and reduce traffic snarls in the city.
Minister Reddy said drivers are taught how to save fuel through workshops. Buses give a mileage of 4.42 km/litre but if drivers try to increase the mileage by 0.1 per cent, government can save Rs 73 crore per annum, he added.
There are around 40 lakh vehicles in the city and pollution is a major concern, Reddy said. For any losses in BMTC, depot managers and divisional controllers will be held responsible, he added.