Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday said that the TSRTC would not be privatised and the state government would work to make it profitable. “This government is committed to protecting the TSRTC and Singareni Collieries, providing employment and livelihood to about two lakh people,” Bhatti said.
“It is a matter of pride that the RTC, which was steeped in losses, is now taking steps under the Indiramma Rajyam of the Congress government to emerge as a profitable corporation,” Bhatti said. He was speaking at an event to flag off 22 electric Metro Express buses, along with ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, at the Ambedkar Statue on NTR Marg.
Bhatti pointed out that the previous BRS government had not released funds to the RTC, because of which the employees struggled to get their salaries and the corporation faced severe hardships. “Employees were worried and lived under the fear that the BRS government wanted to privatise RTC and sell off its valuable assets.”
Bhatti also recalled how the K. Chandrashekar Rao government had tried to crush the agitation by RTC employees. After the Congress came to power, the state government brought new enthusiasm and spirit to the organisation within 90 days by introducing over 100 buses.
He said the Maha Lakshmi free bus travel scheme for women was ensuring high occupancy in RTC buses.
The TSRTC described the features of these buses, each bus 12 metres long. 35 seats. 225 kilometres on a single charge. Full charging takes 3 to 4 hours. Cell phone charging facility is also available in buses.
