Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy announced a complete revamp of RTC buses, cabs and autorickshaws running on diesel within the limits of the outer-ring road (ORR), to transition into operating electric vehicles instead, so that air pollution in the city could be brought under control.
Addressing the “Praja Palana Vijayotsava Sabha” held by the Telangana Transport Department in Hyderabad on Thursday, December 5, the chief minister announced that the state government will replace all 3,000 TGSRTC diesel-run buses operating within the ORR with electric buses in the next two years.
All diesel-run buses will be moved out of the ORR limits and the transition will be made with the help of the Central government.
He also directed the transport minister and commissioner to shift all the autos running on diesel inside the ORR’s limits in a similar way. Schemes will be provided to auto drivers to purchase electric autos to ensure they do not face any loss due to the transition. He said the same would apply to cabs operating within the ORR, in the near future.
“We are bringing policies to make Hyderabad pollution-free, and the transport authorities will have to play a crucial role in preventing and controlling pollution. The officials should strictly enforce the laws, prohibit the vehicles causing pollution and send those vehicles operating for more than 15 years for scrapping,” said Revanth Reddy.
Progress of the transport department in one year
The transport department has earned revenues of Rs 4,627 crore in 2024-25 financial year, as on December 3, 2024.
In its progress report released on the occasion, the department has disclosed that from December 2023 till August 2024, the department has given tax exemption to 4,45,589 people who bought tractors and trailers for agricultural use, Rs 20.44 crore tax exemptions to 5,02,597 people who bought autos, and Rs 89.72 crore as exemptions for electric vehicles.
Between December 9, 2023 and December 3, 2024, there were 78,262 electric vehicles purchased by people, as against 51,394 electric vehicles purchased during the same period by last year.
The transport department has also disclosed that out of 113 assistant motor vehicle inspector vacancies notified in 2022, 112 candidates have been selected, among whom joining orders have been given to 92 candidates till now. Through TSLPRB, notification has been issued for 63 transport constable vacancies, among which 54 candidates have joined the service in February 2024.
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