RTC strike hits services in Adilabad region, commuters face hardship

The indefinite RTC strike disrupted transport services across erstwhile Adilabad district, leaving over 500 buses off roads. Commuters faced hardship and alleged fare hikes by private operators, while protesting employees demanded fulfilment of promises and warned of intensifying agitation.

Adilabad: Public transport system continued to be hit due to the ongoing indefinite strike, launched by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) employees since Tuesday midnight, across erstwhile Adilabad district for the second day on Thursday.

Except for around 100 buses hired by TGSRTC, over 500 buses of the corporation were confined to six depots in Adilabad, Utnoor, Nirmal, Bhainsa, Mancherial and Asifabad, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. TGSRTC officials recruited drivers and conductors on a temporary basis to operate the buses.

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However, people struggled to reach their destinations due to the strike. They were forced to rely on auto-rickshaws, jeeps, minivans and cabs for their travel shelling out huge amounts. They alleged that they were being fleeced by the private transporters who hiked fares exponentially to cash on the situation. They urged the government to immediately address the issues of TGSRTC staffers .

The agitating employees who were staging protests under tents in front of depots demanded that the government address its poll promises and their pending issues at the earliest. They raised slogans against the government. They stressed on the need to merge the corporation with the government at the earliest. They urged the government to initiate consultations with them. They warned that they would intensify the stir from Thursday.

Police personnel were deployed at the depots to prevent untoward incidents. Mancherial ACP R Prakash drew flak for pushing a private driver who wanted to raise an issue with the officials. Private drivers staged a sit-in in front of the depot seeking action against the ACP on Wednesday evening. They withdrew their protest when officials assured them of justice.