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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Steel City bus depot to become history from September 1
Visakhapatnam: The Steel City bus depot, famously known as Kurmannapalem depot, will become history as the RTC authorities reportedly decided to wind up the depot as the lease period of the depot would be completed by November. The higher authorities decided to vacate the land owned by the Vizag Steel Plant (VSP), which has been demanding above 133 crore to extend the lease period to another 33 years. The plant management did not agree to the nominal price. The Steel City Bus Depot was set up by the RTC in 1990 at Kurmannapalem to cater to the needs of the public of Steel Plant, Steel Township, Kurmannapalem, and surrounding areas. They took eight acres of land from the VSP on lease at a price of above 8 lakh. RTC constructed a boundary wall and a garage on five acres, and a bus complex and administrative building on another three acres. For this, it spent around 5 crore. In the recent meeting, the RTC MD allegedly asked the local authorities to shift the buses in the depot as early as possible by August 31. "We are not in a position to bear 133 crore security deposit without interest and also service charges of around five crores to the VSP Management," one of the senior officers said on condition of anonymity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo The financial position of the RTC in recent years has drastically come down, and it is not in a position to bear the huge amount for the lease. The authorities of RTC wrote to the steel plant to continue the lease period with allegedly around 35 crore. The RTC MD asked the local authorities to shift the buses to other depots by August 31. All the 84 buses in the depot, including 50 RTC buses and the remaining hired buses, would be accommodated in the Gajuwaka, Simhachalam, Maddilapalem, and Madhurawada depots. There are buses running from Steel Plant or Kurmannapalem (No. 211) to Vizianagaram-Kurmannapalem that would be accommodated in Vizianagaram, sources said. Likewise, Anakapalli to Steel Plant area buses would be accommodated at Anakapalli. When contacted, the Visakhapatnam Regional Manager of RTC, Appala Naidu, said that they have been corresponding with the VSP and are yet to make a decision. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Vizag RTC gearing up to meet demands of ‘free bus travel scheme' from August 15
The Visakhapatnam Region of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is gearing up to meet the demand of women passengers as the launch of free bus travel scheme for women on August 15 nears. District Public Transportation Officer (DPTO) B. Appala Naidu told The Hindu on Friday (August 1, 2025) that an estimated 175 additional buses would be required to meet the demand. 'We have sent a proposal to our head office in this regard. In the meantime, training classes are being conducted for the 'drivers on call', who have enlisted with us, on use of Electric buses, and for conductors on how to issue '0' fare tickets and TIMs (Ticket Issuing Machines),' he said. The Visakhapatnam Region of RTC is currently plying buses on 114 routes in the district, including 70 in the city. The buses cover 2.35 lakh kilometre, transporting 3.10 lakh passengers, including 1.50 lakh pass holders, through 2,450 trips in the city everyday. Eight buses are being operated for IT sector employees from various destinations to the IT SEZ at Rushikonda, he added. The region is operating five types of buses – Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Express, City Ordinary and Metro Express – in the district. The region is expected to get 100 Electric Buses by the December 2025. District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad had recently inspected the Dwaraka Bus Station (DBS) complex and expressed satisfaction at the amenities like seating arrangements, cleanliness, punctuality and CCTVs. RTC Vice Chairman and MD Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao also visited the region recently and inspected the amenities. 'We are yet to receive specific guidelines from the government on whether the free travel for women would be all over the State or confined to the districts,' Mr. Appala Naidu said in response to a query. Meanwhile, it's learnt that 630 buses, operating in the city, are far from adequate to meet the requirements of commuters. Visakhapatnam, the largest city in the State with an estimated population of over 25 lakh, would require at least 1,500 city buses. 'A study conducted some years ago, recommended that there should be 60 buses for 1 lakh population in big cities,' says C. Ramachandraiah, a former professor in Urban Studies at the Centre for Economic and Social Sciences (CESS), Hyderabad, quoting the findings of a survey conducted some years ago.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fertilizers available, but ryots struggle amid staff apathy
Visakhapatnam: Although fertilizers are available in adequate quantities at the district level for this Kharif season, farmers are struggling to obtain them. Staff at Rythu Seva Kendras and other distribution centres have shown a lack of urgency, forcing many farmers to turn to private dealers — where they are compelled to buy fertilizers at steeply inflated prices. Even after the govt instructed the administrations in the district to provide fertilizers, the fertilizers are not within the reach of the farmers due to negligence in distributing them by the staff at the district level. There are allegations over the Rythu Seva Kendras. The district authorities are now supplying the fertilizers that have reached the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies from MarkFed. Sources say that the stocks at Rythu Seva Kendras have remained the same for the past few months. "The usage of Urea is high presently, and we have been searching for the stocks. There are no stocks at private dealers. Even if they have quantities, they have been enhancing the prices and cashing in on the situation," a farmer in Vizianagaram district, K Rama Rao, said. The higher officials in the agricultural department estimated the required quantity of Urea and other fertilizers and sent around 90% of the estimated quantities. The majority of Urea stocks are in Rythu Seva Kendras, sources said. They further added that the transfers of village agricultural assistants over the past month have been creating problems for the farmers, as VAAs are not distributing fertilizers and are also not inclined to hand over the stock details or register them. The authorities are attributing the delay in Urea distribution to the transfers of Village Agricultural Assistants. The Agricultural Department higher officials say that this will be resolved in seven to ten days. The district agricultural officers advised the farmers to bring any issues in fertilizer supply to their notice. The govt has sent sufficient quantities of fertilizers to districts. "When we ask about DAP, Potash, Super Phosphate, Complex fertilizers, and others, Agricultural Department officials say that those fertilizers are available. But, the local staff have been saying that technical issues have been creating problems," another farmer, Appala Naidu, said.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
People of AP gave a right verdict last June 4
Visakhapatnam: Vizianagaram Lok Sabha member Kalisetti Appala Naidu said that the people of Andhra Pradesh gave a befitting verdict on June 4 last year to free the state from YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's rule. Addressing the media here on Sunday, the MP mentioned that June 4 is being declared as the day of liberation from Jagan Reddy's anarchic rule and not Vennupotu Dinam as presented by the YSRCP. Appala Naidu said that the recently held Mahanadu reflected a resounding success of the NDA's rule in Andhra Pradesh for the past year and how people willingly accepted it. Further, the MP pointed out that the YSR Congress Party's observance of 'Vennupotu Dinam' on June 4 is shameful. He opined that the YSRCP leaders have no respect for the people's verdict given through the general elections. 'On June 4, people of AP will celebrate freedom from Jagan's rule and not Vennupotu Dinam,' he stated. The MP alleged that former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's 'psychotic mindset' is still in action. Announcing June 4 as the day of 'Vennupotu Dinam' shows his true personality. Further, Appala Naidu asked YS Jagan Mohan Reddy whether the promises made to his mother, sister and the people of AP were met. He pointed out that former MP V Vijayasai Reddy, who was the key leader of the YSRCP, was expelled from the party. Visakhapatnam parliament general secretary Polamarasetti Srinivasa Rao and Telugu Youth state vice president Tammineni Mohan participated in the meeting.
