KCR promises 'Spl Increment' for Telangana RTC employees

Hyderabad, Nov 29 (INN): Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Saturday announced 'Telangana Special Increment' for the employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation.

Speaking after adding 80 new Volvo buses to the RTC fleet at People's Plaza here, the Chief Minister said that the RTC employees would be given special increment on par with other government employees to mark the formation of Telangana State.

The move would cause additional burden of Rs 18.20 crore to the State's exchequer. He said since RTC was already in losses, the amount would be paid by the State Government. This would benefit all 57,200 RTC employees.

The Chief Minister praised the services of RTC which commutes nearly 90 lakh people through 10,300 buses across the State. He assured that the State Government would take all steps to stabilise the corporation and turn it into a profitable institution.

He said that the RTC would soon expand its operations as the government is planning to improve rural transportation by upgrading 600 km of sand roads in 149 mandals across Telangana at a cost of about Rs 20,000 crore. He also stressed the need for increase in usage of mass transport systems in order to decongest the city roads.

KCR also announced that separate lunch and rest rooms would be provided to the women employees.

Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreyya appreciated the RTC's plan to introduce 530 new buses. He informed that he already made representations with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to convert Kalvakurthy-Sircilla road to four track lane. Further, steps are being taken to improve the Hyderabad-Karimnagar Rajiv Rahdari.

Being the Union Labour Minister, he assured to resolve the issues related to EPF, Insurance or Health of RTC employees. He said that the Centre would extend full cooperation in realising State Government's dream of 'Bangaru Telangana' into a reality.

Transport Minister P Mahender Reddy informed that about Rs 150 crore were being spent to introduce new buses. He assured that the RTC would improve its services by introducing more facilities for the passengers.

RTC Vice-Chairman & Managing Director Poorna Chandra informed that the RTC was operating 3,777 buses in Hyderabad city and covering a distance of 9.73 lakh kms per day carrying about 35 lakh passengers to their destinations.

He said that 80 new Volvo buses, added to the RTC fleet on Saturday, have been named as "Metro Luxury". These buses have the facility of announcement of ensuing stage particulars through intelligent transport system; sound proof journey with good sound insulation; information to passengers through GPS tracking; automatic fire detection and suppression system with fire resistant body; electro-numatic doors, CC cameras and cell charging points.

Footboard kneeling arrangement has been made to facilitate Physically Handicapped Persons so that they can easily board the bus.

These buses will operate on the following routes: Dilsukhnagar to Lingampally (Route No 218); Uppal to Waverock (Rt No 113M/W); Kothi to Pathancheru (Rt No 222) and ECIL to Waverock (Rt No 17H/10W).

Deputy Chief Minister Mehmood Ali, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Excise Minster T Padma Rao, Bhongir MP B Narsaiah Goud, Rajya Sabha MP V Hanumantha Rao, MLAs Chintala Ramakrishna Reddy, Teegala Krishna Reddy, Talasani Srinivas Yad, T Kanaka Reddy and K Yadaiah, MLC Farooq Hussain, GHMC Mayor Mohammed Majid Hussain and senior officials were also present.