Andhra Pradesh Targets Accident-Free Roads: Transport Minister

Vijayawada: Transport minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy on Friday said the government aims to reduce road accidents in the state and is working towards making Andhra Pradesh an "accident free state."

Ramprasad Reddy mentioned that to transform Andhra Pradesh into an accident-free state, more buses will be added to the APSRTC fleet. Additionally, the number of bus drivers, conductors, mechanics, among others, will be increased to provide better services to passengers using the state government-run transport system.

The minister reviewed the performance of APSRTC in a three-and-a-half-hour-long meeting with officials at the RTC House in Vijayawada.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said the main objective of the meeting was to evaluate the public transport corporation’s performance, address lapses, and ensure quality services before implementing free bus travel.

“Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will review the AP Public Transport Department (APPTD) and APSRTC at a review meeting on August 12. A key decision on free bus travel for women is likely to be made based on the outcomes of the review meeting,” Ramprasad Reddy stated.

He said the state government will clear dues owed to APSRTC employees, which are pending for five years. He announced that the state government would roll out more ‘Amaravati’ brand AC buses.

“Conspiracies and futile attempts by evil forces to undermine Amaravati city and the Amaravati brand will not deter our spirit. The government will soon induct more AC buses under the Amaravati brand, which will operate on roads of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

Additionally, issues related to RTC employees' health, medical allowances, and jobs for the kin of deceased workers on compassionate grounds will be brought to the attention of the CM on August 12, he added.