Hyderabad is likely to face major transport disruptions as employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) have announced a statewide strike starting April 22. The strike has been called after authorities failed to respond to a notice issued by workers regarding their long-pending demands.
The employees’ union has listed 32 demands, including merging RTC with the state government, conducting union elections, revising wages, and ensuring equal pay and benefits with government employees. They have also demanded clearance of pending dues such as provident fund contributions and cooperative payments.
If the strike proceeds as planned, it could affect more than 60 lakh daily commuters and lead to the withdrawal of over 6,000 buses from service. This would significantly impact office-goers, students, and daily wage workers who rely heavily on public transport in Hyderabad and across Telangana.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has urged workers to reconsider their decision, stating that the government is open to discussions and has already made progress on some issues, including releasing Dearness Allowance and reviewing the merger proposal. However, employees insist that earlier promises made before elections must be fulfilled.
With no resolution yet in sight, the strike could become a major challenge for the state administration. Authorities may need to arrange alternative transport options to minimize inconvenience to the public if negotiations fail.
News as reported
