Ponnam Prabhakar directs RTC to ensure smooth bus operations for Medaram Jatara
Hyderabad: State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday directed RTC officials to operate buses for Medaram Jatara without causing any inconvenience to devotees. He emphasised the need for efficient coordination and additional buses. In particular, he mentioned high-demand routes such as Warangal, Hanumakonda, Khammam, and Karimnagar.
The Minister chaired a review meeting with top RTC officials at the Secretariat. Moreover, he called for real-time operational oversight from Medaram until the conclusion of the Jatara. He noted that during the last Jatara, 3,491 buses transported 16.82 lakh passengers. This year, an estimated 20 lakh pilgrims are expected, prompting deployment of 4,000 buses.
Temporary bus stops, cultural infrastructure, and road safety focus
Ponnam Prabhakar instructed officials to ensure smooth functioning at temporary bus stops. He asked for clear displays of bus routes based on district destinations. Additionally, he stressed close coordination with the police for crowd management. He called for building a permanent RTC complex at Medaram that reflects the region’s cultural ethos.
To reduce road accidents during the Jatara, he ordered mass awareness through hoardings, bus station displays, and onboard TV content as part of National Road Safety Month.
Push for RTC development, EV readiness, and financial study of depots
The Minister reviewed pending works and ongoing bus station upgrades. He directed officials to expedite completion and ensure Hyderabad’s readiness for full-scale EV bus operations with proper infrastructure and charging stations.
Highlighting the need for new terminals like JBS and MGBS, he called for a study on terminal expansion. He also instructed discussions with district collectors regarding RTC land reassignments. Based on positive results from new city routes, he urged expansion of RTC services across Telangana.
Under Vision 2047, Ponnam Prabhakar stressed scaling up the RTC fleet and workforce. He directed officials to fast-track pending bus procurements and report key field-level observations.
He also ordered speedy completion of new depots at Peddapalli and Eturunagaram. Although over 90 depots are now running profitably under the Maha Lakshmi scheme, the Minister sought an in-depth review of loss-making depots. He also called for corrective measures.
Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, RTC MD Nagi Reddy, EDs, RMs, and other senior officials attended the review meeting.