Public transportation across Telangana is set to come to a standstill as the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) workers have announced an indefinite strike beginning from midnight on May 6. The TGSRTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) has confirmed that all RTC buses will remain confined to their depots from May 7 onward, significantly impacting thousands of daily commuters who rely on the service. The strike stems from longstanding grievances that the employees allege have been ignored by the government despite multiple appeals and notices.
Among the 21 demands put forth by the striking employees are the merger of TGSRTC with the state government for enhanced job security, clearance of pending salary arrears dating back to 2021, and a firm stand against the alleged privatization of depots under the guise of introducing electric buses. Union leaders have expressed deep dissatisfaction over the lack of response from the state government, RTC management, and the Labour Commissioner, emphasizing that the protest is a last resort to safeguard the rights and welfare of workers.
In a recent high-level meeting, major unions representing RTC staff came together under the unified slogan “One voice, one path – the path of strike,” urging all employee factions to stand united. The JAC has called upon workers to set aside internal differences and support the collective agitation. With no signs of a breakthrough in negotiations, the indefinite strike is likely to create widespread inconvenience for commuters throughout Telangana, especially in urban centers like Hyderabad where dependence on RTC buses is high.
