RTC Stir Leaves Commuters Stranded, Govt. Urges Talks
The buses remained in the depots in Hyderabad and in districts prompting the management to make alternative arrangements for the convenience of the passengers
HYDERABAD: Lakhs of commuters were left stranded on Wednesday as TGSRTC buses remained confined to depots following a strike declared late Tuesday night by corporation employees. Many passengers, unaware of the strike, reached bus stops only to find services halted. Private transport operators, including Ola and Uber, saw a surge in demand, while women relying on the Mahalaxmi free‑travel scheme were caught in a difficult situation.
Joint Action Committee (JAC) members staged protests at depots, raising slogans against the government. Transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar appealed to employees to withdraw the strike, assuring that a special committee would examine their demands and submit a report within four weeks. Managing director Nagi Reddy said only about 10 per cent of services, mostly hired buses, were operational. Police deployed heavy security at depots, while Hyderabad Metro Rail increased services to handle the rush.
Some unions backed out of the strike and may resume work from Thursday. The management is exploring options to bring in private drivers and conductors to restore services. The strike involves 38,300 employees pressing 32 demands. This is the first major strike since October 2019.
JAC leaders declared the protest indefinite until demands are met. Vice‑president Thomas Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that employees would adopt methods similar to the “Sakala Janula Samme” agitation during the Telangana statehood movement.
TGSRTC is the state’s largest public transport system, carrying 60 lakh passengers daily, including 40 lakh women benefitting from the Mahalaxmi scheme introduced in December 2023.
Minister Prabhakar reiterated that “strike is not the solution,” stressing that the government has no objection to 29 of the 32 demands. He said only two issues — merger of RTC with the government and elections for recognised trade unions — require detailed study. He assured that salaries are being paid on time and highlighted steps already taken, including clearance of pending Pay Revision Commission dues, Dearness Allowance arrears, and bonds dating back to 2013.
He noted that Provident Fund arrears had been reduced from ₹1,205 crore to ₹600 crore, and Cooperative Credit Society arrears from ₹690 crore to ₹300 crore, with monthly contributions of ₹75 crore continuing. Recruitment for 4,538 vacancies and 1,134 compassionate appointments is under way, while nearly 250 employees dismissed earlier have been reinstated.
Despite these assurances, employees insist the strike will continue until all demands are met, leaving commuters dependent on alternative transport and the government under pressure to resolve the crisis quickly.
