Telangana Transport Minister flags off 60 EV buses, says TGSRTC merger process will begin after union elections

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar flagged off 60 electric buses at Telangana State Road Transport Corporation’s (TGSRTC) Kukatpally depot on Wednesday, adding more heavy vehicles to the existing fleet of EV buses. 

Currently, of the 10,139 buses of TGSRTC, 1,050 are electric buses, including 510 intercity vehicles which ply in urban limits. In Hyderabad, the corporation operates 540 EV buses, including 90 AC vehicles. The Transport Minister said that additional 2,200 electric buses will be introduced soon. 

Responding to the request of Kukatpally MLA Madhavaram Krishna Rao, Mr. Prabhakar said that a new depot would be established in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB). He directed officials to take steps to set it up over five acres of land. The corporation’s officials were asked to write to the Housing Board officials pertaining to this. 

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar taking a ride in an electric bus after flagged them off at Kukatpally depot in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

The Minister said that public transportation services are being strengthened according to the needs of new colonies in Hyderabad. 

TGSRTC merger with govt

Speaking about a long persisting demand of the corporation’s employees to merge the TGSRTC with the government, the Transport Minister said that the process would be rolled out. A committee comprising of representatives of recognised unions and officials would be formed. They would begin the merger process after elections for recognised unions. The process for the elections too would begin soon, he said. 

However, he said that some issues cropped up after the merger of the APSRTC with the Andhra Pradesh government.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar inspected an electric bus at Kukatpally depot on Wednesday.

Speaking more about the measures for welfare of the employees, Mr. Ponnam said that employees can submit their grievances, while Depot Manager, Regional Managers and other officials will discuss the issues on every second Tuesday of a month.