Telangana Government Recognizes TSRTC Staff as Government Employees and Plans Hyderabad Metro Expansion
Hyderabad, July 31, 2023: In a significant move, the Telangana Cabinet has decided to recognize over 43,000 employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) as official government employees. The decision, made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, aims to safeguard TSRTC as a social obligation and strengthen the public transport system.
To implement this decision, a sub-committee comprising officials will be formed to frame the necessary guidelines. The proposed Bill related to this recognition will be introduced in the Assembly session, commencing on August 3.
In addition to this, the Cabinet also approved an ambitious plan to expand the Hyderabad Metro at an estimated cost of Rs 60,000 crore within the next 3-4 years. The expansion project will include a double-decker Metro line running from Jubilee Bus Station to Thumkunta and Patny to Kandlakoya at Outer Ring Road (ORR). One level will be dedicated to motor vehicles, while the other level will serve as a Metro train route.
The Hyderabad Metro will undergo further extensions, connecting Isnapur to Miyapur, Miyapur to Lakdi Ka Pul, LB Nagar to Pedamberpet, Uppal to Bibinagar, Kottur to Shadnagar, and Uppal to ECIL. Additionally, a proposal for a Metro Rail around the 159-km Outer Ring Road is also under consideration. Detailed project reports are expected to be prepared by the Hyderabad Metro Rail and the Municipal Administration Department.
The Industries Minister, K. T. Rama Rao, expressed the state government’s willingness to seek cooperation from the central government for executing the Metro expansion project. He predicted that even if the present government at the Centre fails to cooperate, the next government, likely to be a coalition government in the following year, will extend the necessary support, where the BRS (name not specified) is anticipated to play a key role.
