RTC moving towards profitability under Congress rule: Bhatti Vikramarka
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Post-MLA's Death… Political mercury to rise in JH Assembly segment
Hyderabad: Following the untimely death of sitting MLA M Gopinath, political heat is set to rise in Hyderabad soon, as the by-election to Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency will be held anytime in next six months. Major political developments are likely to take place in the assembly segment in view of the ruling Congress and opposition BRS and BJP's readiness to claim their stakes and show upper hand in the by elections. The Jubilee Hills assembly constituency is unique as the voters in the segment are a mix of Andhra settlers, minorities and other local communities. The three major political parties were holding grip in the assembly segment. However, the city-based AIMIM party has been deciding the fate of the contestants since the majority of muslim voters supported those who were backed by the Majlis party. The sitting MLA Gopinath won elections in 2018 and 2023 with the support of the Majlis party. Congress candidate Mohd Azaruddin tried hard to convince the majority muslim voters to win the last election but the voters chose the BRS leader. The role of minority voters will be crucial in the assembly segment in the triangular contest in the upcoming by elections. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy would consider the by-election a litmus test to his government and the Congress victory is crucial to show the party's strength in Hyderabad, where the Congress already failed in the last GHMC and assembly elections in deriving political advantage. 'Congress will rely on poaching strong local leadership to consolidate its position first and then fight the elections to win', leaders said. BJP state unit President and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy would start political meetings with local leadership soon to strengthen the party as well as mobilise cadres to win the elections.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
HC directs Kaushik Reddy to face trial in criminal case
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court single bench of Justice Kunuru Lakshman on Monday directed Huzurabad BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy to face trial in the criminal case registered against him in Kamalapur PS. However, the court quashed offences registered against him U/s. 188 IPC. Justice Lakshman heard the criminal petition filed by Reddy seeking 'stay' on all further proceedings in CC No 268/2024 pending before the Special Judicial First Class Magistrate for Excise Court at Nampally, including his appearance before the court. The case was registered during the 2023 Assembly elections which he contested as BRS candidate. The petitioner had released a video on November 28 delivering a short message to the voters asking them to 'vote' for him so that he wins. He was also seen threatening them to vote for him, failing which, he will die. His words were 'if you don't vote for me, then, you will have to attend my funeral procession'. Justice Lakshman, though quashed the offences against Reddy, directed the investigation officer to probe contents of the video. After the video went viral on social media platforms, in utter disregard to the model code of conduct. Gunde Babu, MCC nodal officer, Kamalapur (Hanumakonda) gave a police complaint. A case was registered against Reddy U/s. 171-C, 171-F r/w. 188 IPC, 506 IPC and Sec. 123(2) of Representation of Peoples Act 1951 in the FIR no. 247/2023.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Kaleshwaram a viable project: Harish
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi senior leader and former irrigation minister T Harish Rao explained the Justice Ghose Commission of inquiry, which is probing the alleged irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram project, the economic viability of the biggest lift irrigation scheme in the state. The senior BRS leader and then irrigation minister deposed before the Commission on Monday and submitted documentary evidence on how the Kaleshwaram project was designed to generate revenues along the water flow areas, which could be used to repay loans taken from various financial institutions for the construction of the project. Harish Rao briefed Justice Ghose that the then BRS government had borrowed loans to construct the project, which included barrages and reservoirs, by letting financial institutions know about the revenue stream through supply of abundant water to industries for commercial needs. He elaborated the need for such revenue generation to repay the loans to avoid putting the burden on the state government. However, the Covid-19 pandemic created trouble in implementing the plans relating to revenue generation. The BRS leader said that the project was built to also meet the growing irrigation needs as well as drinking water purpose for Hyderabad city. When the Commission posed a volley of questions on the project design, water release in the barrages and maintenance of the structures, Harish Rao sought to put the record straight by presenting government orders as well as Central Water Commission and Technical Committee reports. Since the Maharashtra government was opposed to Tummidihetti, he said that the BRS government finalized Medigadda barrage in tune with the recommendations made by Technical Committee and retired engineers' reports. Harish Rao also narrated the purpose of the constitution of the Cabinet Sub Committee with T Nageswara Rao, E Rajendar and him, stating it which was confined to the study of increasing irrigation facility in the state and that the committee had no role in the Kaleshwaram project. Filling the barrages with water was purely a technical issue and the engineers were responsible for it. The BRS leader said that engineers developed the plan for the entire project based on the technical reports. Relevant WAPCOS reports and CWC letters were placed on record. Speaking to newsmen after 40 minutes of open court questioning by the Commission, Harish pointed out that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently laid the foundation for the Gandamalla Project, which will receive water from the Mallanna Sagar -- a key reservoir of the Kaleshwaram project. Even the proposed Musi River beautification and Hyderabad drinking water supply projects were dependent on water from the Mallanna Sagar. Coco Cola unit is proof Harish Rao told the Commission that Coca Cola Company had set up a soft drink manufacturing unit in Siddipet by utilizing water released from the Kaleshwaram project and it was a testimony to the economic viability of the lift irrigation project. Revenue generated from vending Kaleshwaram water to the industries could be a big source of revenue. The previous government had come up with a plan to promote industries all along the water flowing areas in the Kaleshwaram.
