TSRTC begins process to privatise some routes

Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Monday set in motion the process of privatisation of the TSRTC. The Cabinet is likely to meet in the next two or three days and ratify the decision to give green signal to give about 3000 to 4000 routes to private operators.

It may be mentioned here that CM KCR at a press conference after winning the Huzurnagar byelection said that he would issue orders for the privatisation of some RTC routes.

KCR had said the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019 passed by Parliament recently had empowered the states to issue permits to private operators and nobody even the courts cannot question them on this aspect.

He had also stated that the blackmailing tactics of the unions had not only resulted in axing the branch on which they were sitting but had also forced the government to privatise some routes to see that the people do not suffer.

The government is of the opinion that the private operators are focussed in earning profits and are willing to work for more hours. It will also help in doing away with the unions in the corporation, which according to the Chief Minister, had become a menace.

According of official sources, the corporation, which had invited applications for 350 routes, received more than 2,300 applications to operate buses in the districts.

However, the RTC received poor response from the private operators to run buses in Hyderabad city. Only 20 applications were received to run buses for over 700 routes in the capital city.

Sources said that the reason for poor response for the city was because of the traffic conditions as it would have impact on the diesel consumption.

The TSRTC called tenders for hiring 1,000 buses in some routes in the state. The corporation had released tenders inviting applications from private entrepreneurs for supply of buses for running in Greater Hyderabad and regions like Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts.

Sources said that the private operators prefer long-distance routes because they are generally more profitable rather than Palle Velugu.