Bengaluru: When Karnataka Transport minister Byrathi Suresh set off for a surprise inspection, little did he know about the embarrassment that was in store for him.
The minister wore a mask, hoping people won’t recognise him.
He travelled around the city for nearly two hours, hopping in and out of several Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses.
The minister saw firsthand various issues that regular commuters face and often complain about.
In one instance, he acted tough as one BMTC bus didn’t stop at the designated Fun World stop despite a passenger wanting to get down. Suresh ordered the suspension of both the driver and conductor.
But then he got a reality check as he himself experienced a familiar commuter grievance. While travelling on a Hebbal-Nagashettyhalli route bus, the minister reportedly handed the conductor a Rs 100 note to buy his ticket.
The conductor cited a lack of change and asked the minister to get off the bus, saying that it wasn’t possible to accept a high-value currency note.
Suresh didn’t argue, neither did he reveal his identity.
Continuing his inspection, Suresh intervened in a dispute involving an auto-rickshaw driver who allegedly demanded Rs 36 even though the fare meter displayed Rs 30.
Karnataka Transport Minister @byrathi_suresh travelled incognito on 10+ BMTC buses.across Bengaluru for 2 hours wearing a mask to inspect services firsthand.
He suspended a driver and conductor after a bus failed to stop for passengers. In another bus, a conductor asked him to… pic.twitter.com/celtwAXIPG
— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) July 12, 2026
The Transport minister said surprise inspections will continue across Bengaluru to strengthen accountability, enforce discipline among transport staff and improve the commuting experience for passengers.
That’s good news for Bengalureans, even though the minister himself landed in a false position.