Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Thursday has launched the Vajra Bus Services of TSRTC at Pragathi Bhavan

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Thursday has announced an innovative service “Vajra buses” of the TSRTC, for the first time in the country, which will pick up and drop passengers at their chosen location. “We are making a first step in launching Vajra service and this system is not there at any RTCs in the country. From Hyderabad to Nizamabad, Hyderabad-Nizamabad Vajra bus services will ply. These Vajra A/C buses will have 21 seater. Instead of passengers going to Imlibun or Jubilee Bust stations, there will be four or five alighting points in the city. We will increase if people’s response is good. Passengers will be picked by their place of choice. In Warangal and Nizamabad the passengers will be dropped at four to five different points so that they can walk up to their destination. We have started this instead of asking people to come to Bus Stations. My request to Transport Minister and RTC Chairman to see if the buses can pick up and drop passengers from different places if there is a demand. Vajra bus service should also ply to Karimnagar,” the CM said.

Stating that one third of Telangana is on the wheels of TSRTC, he said that the RTC services are a social obligation to the society and emphasised the need to make the RTC a profit making organisation as well as the best services provider. He wanted TSRTC should become role model to other States like Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya, SHE teams, Loan waiver. “Telangana State is the youngest state with only three years in existence, but yet other states are evincing keen interest in several innovative first of its kind programmes of the State government. I want RTC to gain fame and name so that others will emulate,” the CM said.

The CM said in industrial towns like Ramagundam, Mancherial, Karimnagar, Adilabad may also need this service where there are several major industries like NTPC, FCI, SCCL etc., There will be more demands for Vajra services from other places in the State. Demands will come from all the district head quarters, he said.

Tracing the birth and growth of RTC, the CM said under the united AP, a Damocles sword had always hung over the RTC. The uncertain situation then was such that no one knew whether RTC will continue or become privatized. The then government gave Rs 750 Crore to the RTC for its survival. But running RTC a social obligation and hence RTCs were formed in the country. But unfortunately under AP the people at the helm of affairs had no idea or inclination to save the RTC. “When I became Transport Minister, I have toiled and pulled the RTC from losses to profit. When we look at the urban transportation world over, it will be always in losses and profits will never come from it. We are running more than 3000 buses in Hyderabad city alone. In some smaller states they don’t have 3000 fleet in the entire state. I sometimes wonder with so many cars, two wheelers, still RTC is in demand and one will find people hanging on to the buses and people swarm to the bus stops. This would mean that people have trust, faith and confidence in RTC and they are comfortable travelling by RTC buses. This is the reason why we should protect RTC,” the CM said.

He also recalled that the government gave good fitment to the RTC workers despite the fact the Corporation was in red and 4000 employees were taken on contract basis and regularized them. In other countries Metros are given the responsibility of transport, cooking Gas and water supply. The loss incurred in the transport is cross-subsidized by other department. The same method is in vogue in Mumbai, which the British introduced as BEST. “We have passed an Act in the Assembly and made GHMC bear the losses of the RTC. “Every month whatever is due from the GHMC will come. You are also in responsible position. Please don’t misunderstand me for being very blunt with you. As head of the State government it is my responsibility. Please don’t be irresponsible. Especially the industrial relations between the officers and workers should be cordial and good. There is no distinction between the Management and workers. We are all brothers and discharging the duties assigned to us. Nobody is superior or inferior. Officers should not victimize workers. Remember, five crore people are depending on the RTC and its services. Everyday you will be transporting 90 lakh people from one destination to the other. This is big responsibility. Every one of you should become a KCR. Everyone should work with a spirit that they should stand by the RTC, the CM said.

The CM also had praised the safe and dedicated services given by the RTC. He referred to the recently held TRS Public meeting in Warangal. “People have hired RTC buses came to the public meeting. “I came back to Hyderabad slept peacefully as I know that people may have reached their destination without any problem. And they did without even a small accident. This is the greatness of our RTC. I have love and affection towards you. Our RTC on regular basis winning awards at the national level. I made the RTC turn round when I was the transport Minister under united AP. If the bosses are good, the employees render a good service,” he said.

The CM also assured that measures would be taken to clear the RTC debts. For RTC Rs 1000 Crore was allocated in the Budget which was a record of sorts. “This amount will be released to the RTC. We will reimburse the money on the bus passes given by the RTC. I have already given instruction to the finance department. I have given such long talk only to see RTC survive, earn profits and give better services to the people. We have come to a stage where we can say we can survive. The government will give all support to you and let us move forward,” the CM said.

The CM also launched the services of 50 mini buses under service at your doorstep scheme. These mini buses services started at the suggestion given by the CM that RTC should also run a service like private transport players who are running service at your doorstep. These buses will ply in the rural areas where big buses cannot reach, He also lauched two buses which run on bio diesel. Transport Minister Mahender Reddy, RTC Chairman Satyanarayana, MD Ramana Rao, MPs Gutha Sukhender Reddy, K Prabhakar Reddy, Mission Bhagiratha Vice Chairman Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Government Whip Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, Former MP Manikya Reddy, RTC Union leader