Telugu Velugu buses to get cool mats

Vijayawada: As the temperature levels are rising in the state, the Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has decided to arrange cool mats to the windows of the 5,500 Telugu Velugu buses which play an important role in the transportation of people in rural areas. The APSRTC has ordered for 50,000 cool mats, which are reusable every year and will be arranged to the windows in the summer to resist heat waves.

1. About 5,500 RTC buses to get  cool mats to give relief  to passengers from heat waves and scorching sun 
2. The cool mats can be stored and used for next year also

Heat waves are very common in the month of May and will continue for two weeks in June in the state. The bus roof is built with thick iron sheet. Besides, the material used for making seat also absorbs heat.

Keeping in view the hardships being faced by the bus passengers in summer, the APSRTC has issued orders to get 50,000 cooler mats, which will be arranged to the windows. Each bus gets 10 or 12 cool mats. The APSRTC Executive Director (Operations and maintenance) G Jaya Rao told The Hans India that the RTC does not ply A/C buses for short distance routes but operates only Non-A/C buses in rural areas. The officials have tried another option to get relief from the heat by partially opening the roof of the bus. But, this may create problems in the rainy season.

After some experiments, the RTC has finally decided to use cool mats in summer to prevent entry of heat waves into the bus. The mats can be stored and used next summer. These cool mats are very cost effective compared to the A/C buses. If the experiment with Telugu Velugu buses gives fruitful results, the RTC may arrange the cool mats to express buses also. 

BY Md Ameen