Sankranti Rush in Telangana : RTC Implements Special Services
NEWS CHARIOT : With the announcement of holidays by the Telangana state government from January 11, people, including students, employees, and businesspeople, are returning to their hometowns and villages to celebrate Sankranti with their families. This has led to a significant increase in travel across the state, especially in buses, resulting in overcrowded bus stations and long waiting lines.
To manage the massive influx of passengers, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) has arranged special and additional bus services. Depot managers and staff members are closely monitoring the situation to ensure buses are operated based on demand. Temporary parking facilities have also been set up, and tight police security has been deployed to ensure the safety of passengers. Drinking water facilities have been provided for added convenience.
However, passengers have raised concerns about the 50% increase in bus fares during this peak season. While RTC has introduced special services to handle the rush, many passengers have reported being charged significantly higher fares than usual. Additionally, private vehicles are also reportedly charging double the normal rates, further exacerbating the issue.
Kumar, a software employee traveling from Hyderabad to his native Huzurabad, shared his frustration, stating that due to the high rush and lack of available seats on RTC buses, he had no choice but to hire a private vehicle. He was charged Rs. 800 for the journey, which was a significant hike compared to usual fares.
In response to these concerns, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar issued a statement warning private bus operators that any unfair practices, such as overcharging or violating regulations, would result in strict actions, including the seizure of buses.
As the Sankranti festival draws near, authorities continue to manage the situation, but the concerns about fare hikes and overcrowding remain a point of contention for many passengers.
