The decision of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to purchase new electric buses for the corporation to be run by a private agency has triggered a major uproar among the RTC workers, who threatened to resort to indefinite strike if the government wants to privatise the corporation in the name of electric buses.
The issue has also triggered political controversy in the state following remarks made by APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana.
Speculation intensified after comments attributed to him were interpreted as indicating a move towards privatisation of the state-run transport corporation.
In response to the growing controversy, Narayana issued a clarification stating that his remarks had been distorted.
APSRTC also released an official statement clarifying that the induction of electric buses into the corporation does not amount to privatisation and that employees would not suffer any losses due to the new policy.
APSRTC stated that Andhra Pradesh has been allocated 1,050 electric buses by the Central government under the Prime Minister’s e-Bus Seva scheme.
Of these, 750 buses will be operated across 11 cities in the state, while the remaining 300 buses will be deployed on the Tirumala-Tirupati ghat roads.
The corporation explained that the Central government had floated tenders for procurement and operation of electric buses and selected Pinnacle India Limited to supply buses for Andhra Pradesh.
The APSRTC reiterated its commitment to providing safe and environmentally sustainable public transport services.
Clarifying his earlier remarks, Konakalla Narayana said that electric bus operations across the country are being implemented under a public-private operational model promoted by the Centre.
He explained that private agencies invited through tenders would handle investment, maintenance and driver management, while APSRTC would continue to provide conductors for the buses.
“I was only referring to the operational management of electric buses, but some people misrepresented it as though the entire APSRTC was being privatised,” he said.
APSRTC further stated that the move is aimed at reducing operational costs and promoting environmentally friendly transport systems, while ensuring that the interests of employees remain protected.
The corporation dismissed claims that the electric bus initiative would lead to privatisation of APSRTC.
