Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar laid the foundation stone for the Boduppal bus terminal, a Rs 3.22 crore project to improve public transport in Boduppal, Peerzadiguda and surrounding areas. The government set a 100-day deadline for construction at the Uppal zonal workshop near Boduppal Circle-10 in Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation.
The proposed terminal aims to ease passenger congestion and strengthen bus connectivity. Prabhakar said the facility could serve around one lakh passengers daily after opening. The area currently records 1,053 bus trips a day, according to the minister.
Buses from the locality connect passengers to Bhuvanagiri, Yadagirigutta, Hanamkonda and Warangal. Prabhakar said the station would carry the names of both Boduppal and Peerzadiguda, given their importance in the region.
MLA Mallareddy, RTC managing director Nagireddy, Municipal Commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy, Thotakura Vajresh Yadav, public representatives and officials attended the foundation ceremony. After the event, Prabhakar travelled on a Green Metro Express bus.
The minister said the government was prioritising RTC protection, passenger amenities and employee welfare. The state had purchased more than 3,000 new buses. Another 2,200 electric buses were expected under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
The RTC was also introducing services on new routes in Hyderabad. Prabhakar urged residents to inform officials about areas that needed additional buses. The first phase of a programme to retrofit 250 old diesel buses was underway. The government was also promoting electric buses to reduce urban pollution.
Boduppal bus terminal accompanies wider RTC expansion
Prabhakar said the free bus travel scheme for women had recorded 367 crore journeys. Women had saved Rs 12,888 crore through the scheme, he added. RTC employees had also served women travelling on Raksha Bandhan.
The minister acknowledged that the corporation owed around Rs 1,400 crore to retired employees. He said he had discussed the issue with the Chief Minister and expected a decision soon. The government was clearing pending Cooperative Credit Society and provident fund dues in phases.
He said the government had implemented pay revision commissions and taken steps to prevent delays in dearness allowance payments. RTC union recognition elections had also taken place after a gap of 10 years. The government would form a committee with the elected union and begin the process of merging the RTC with the government, he added.
Prabhakar outlined road safety measures, including reflectors, a vehicle scrappage policy and plans for automated testing stations. He said the government had allocated Rs 200 crore for electric autos in the CURE area. It was also encouraging electric vehicle purchases through its EV policy.
Prabhakar thanked the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation for allocating Rs 3.22 crore for the Boduppal bus terminal. The government set a 100-day target for construction. The project aims to improve transport access for residents of Boduppal, Peerzadiguda and nearby areas.