RTC moving towards profitability under Congress rule: Bhatti Vikramarka

Deputy CM Vikramarka highlights TSRTC's turnaround under Congress government with free bus travel scheme for women.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu asserted that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), once on the brink of collapse during the BRS regime, is on the path to profitability under the Congress government.

Speaking at a public meeting at the Suryapet bus depot after inaugurating 45 electric buses along with Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, the Deputy Chief Minister alleged that the previous BRS government proposed to wind up the RTC, but the ‘people’s government’ has strengthened it.

Mr. Vikramarka said the success of the Mahalakshmi Scheme, which provides free bus travel to women across the State, ensured that RTC was pushed into profits. Contrary to fears that the free travel scheme would burden RTC, it has actually revived the corporation, he said. “Since the launch of the scheme, RTC has issued 182 crore zero-fare tickets and the government has paid ₹6,088 crore to RTC on behalf of the women,” he said.

Mr Vikramarka said 79 battery-operated buses have been sanctioned for the Suryapet depot, and the launch of 45 buses in a single day is a “historic step.” He praised Mr. Ponnam Prabhakar, crediting him with introducing 2,800 battery buses within Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road limits.

Mr Ponnam Prabhakar said not a single bus was added in the last 10 years nor a job filled in the RTC. But now the government has introduced eco-friendly transportation adding thousands of new buses.