Hyderabad Needs More Buses Owaisi

Hyderabad: Akbaruddin Owaisi, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) floor leader, voiced concerns on Monday regarding the inadequate number of buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) in Hyderabad. According to Owaisi, the city currently has only 2,850 buses in operation, whereas a minimum of 6,000 buses are required to effectively transport an average of 9-11 lakh commuters daily. He emphasized that, on average, 10 lakh people rely on public buses for their daily commute.

The AIMIM Chandrayangutta MLA highlighted the disparity in the number of buses between Hyderabad and other major South Indian cities. For instance, Bangalore operates more than 6,000 buses, while Chennai has over 5,000 buses serving its population. Owaisi stressed the urgent need to expand Hyderabad’s bus fleet to better serve its residents and reduce overcrowding.

Furthermore, Owaisi pointed out that the mini-bus services, which were once essential for commuting in suburbs and neighborhoods with narrower roads, have been completely discontinued. He demanded the reintroduction of these services to enhance connectivity in less accessible areas.

In response to these transportation challenges, the TGSRTC recently placed an order for 1,000 electric buses, which will be delivered in phases. This initiative is part of the corporation’s efforts to reduce emissions and promote environmentally friendly transportation options. According to the TGSRTC, these new buses will operate under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, a public-private partnership that pays electric vehicle suppliers on a per-kilometer basis for maintenance.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is set to inaugurate 13 newly commissioned charging stations across the state to support the incoming electric buses. These charging stations are being established at various depots, including MGBS, JBS, HCU, Hayathnagar-2, Ranigunj, Kukatpally, BHEL, Hyderabad-2, Warangal, Suryapet, Karimnagar-2, and Nizamabad. Each station will feature 20 to 25 charging guns, allowing multiple buses to charge simultaneously.

More than 500 of the new electric buses will serve city routes, targeting high-traffic areas such as Suryapet, Warangal, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad. In addition, diesel buses currently stationed at depots like HCU and Hayathnagar will be replaced by electric ones, with the former being reassigned to rural areas.

Presently, the TGSRTC operates over 100 electric buses, including 49 Pushpak buses on airport routes and 10 E-Garuda buses running between Vijayawada and Hyderabad. The corporation’s total fleet consists of 9,139 buses, which transport approximately 54.19 lakh passengers daily. This includes 2,724 hired buses and 6,415 buses owned by the TGSRTC.

Owaisi’s call for an increase in the bus fleet underscores the pressing need for improved public transportation infrastructure in Hyderabad. Expanding the number of buses and reintroducing mini-bus services could significantly enhance the commuting experience for residents, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to the city’s overall development.

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