KTR accuses Congress of pushing TGSRTC towards privatisation

BRS leader KT Rama Rao accused the Congress government of pushing TSRTC towards bankruptcy to justify its privatisation. He demanded withdrawal of the recent fare hike, alleging it burdened commuters and that the government had pending dues under the Mahalakshmi scheme

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Thursday alleged that the Congress government was deliberately pushing the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) towards bankruptcy to justify its eventual privatisation. He claimed that the government was attempting to sell RTC assets and hand over profitable divisions to private players under the guise of reforms.

After the “Chalo Bus Bhavan” protest, a delegation of BRS leaders met RTC Managing Director N Nagireddy and submitted a memorandum demanding a rollback of the recent bus fare hike. During the discussion, the MD reportedly confirmed that Rs. 1,353 crore in dues under the ‘Mahalakshmi’ free bus travel scheme remained pending from the government. The BRS leaders recalled that the previous BRS regime had released Rs. 9,246 crore in grants to strengthen the RTC and prevent losses.

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Speaking to the media after the meeting, Rama Rao termed the fare hike unjust and anti-poor, saying it imposed an unbearable burden on the middle class. “We welcome the free bus travel for women, but the government must increase the number of buses. Instead, it has doubled the fares for men and students. It is cruel to give with one hand and take away with the other,” he said.

The BRS working president hit out at Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accusing him of “running a circus, not a government.” He condemned the police for arresting BRS leaders who were peacefully participating in the protest and questioned why the government feared a simple petition being submitted to the RTC MD.

“The people of Telangana are facing rising prices, job losses and economic stress. Instead of providing relief, this government is adding to their suffering through arbitrary fare hikes,” he said.

Rama Rao argued that public transport was a government responsibility and not a profit-making enterprise. “Even when RTC was running at a loss, the previous K Chandrashekhar Rao government never passed the burden on to commuters. If RTC is now in profit, why increase fares?” he asked.

He also took a jibe at the police, urging them to show the same enthusiasm in tackling the soaring crime rate in Hyderabad as they did in arresting opposition leaders. He reiterated that the BRS would continue its agitation until the fare hike was withdrawn, warning that attempts to privatise RTC would face strong public resistance.