Double the number of RTC buses in city, demands CPM

Hyderabad: A dharna was held today in front of the Bus Bhavan at RTC crossroads here under the aegis of CPM city committee demanding increase in the number of city buses. Teacher constituency MLC A. Narsi Reddy took part in the protest as the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, he said key solution to the traffic problems in Hyderabad city was the increase in public transport. He also said no matter how many flyovers are constructed, the width of the roads is the increase in public transport was needed more. He said after the announcement of the Mahalaxmi scheme, many women were leaving their own vehicles and travelling in buses, which is a welcome development. He said the State government should focus on increasing the number of buses in line with the increased passenger traffic.

“There is a need to double the number of the RTC buses in the city. The State government should allocate a sufficient budget for the purchase of the buses. There is a need to give priority to public transport despite financial difficulties for the State government. By increasing the number of metro rail coaches from three to six, increasing MMTS local trains and ensuring that punctuality is maintained,” he said.

CPM state secretariat members DG Narasimha Rao, city secretary M Srinivas, city secretariat members M Srinivasa Rao, M Mahender, M Dasarath, K Nagalakshmi and others spoke at the dharna. CPM city committee members, secretaries of various zones and activists participated in large numbers.

After the dharna, the activists led by MLC Narsireddy met with RTC MD VC Sajjanar and gave him a memorandum containing signatures collected from people across the city. Sajjanar said there was a need to increase city buses and added that he would write to the State government on the issue.