The Telangana cauldron continues to smoulder affecting almost all sections of society.
The AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is one of the worst hit departments of the State machinery due to the ongoing ‘indefinite’ trouble. The Vijayawada region of the corporation has incurred a loss of business worth Rs. 5 crores in the last 10 days due to the prevailing uncertainty. “The worst part of the problem is the prevailing ambiguity of the situation. Although we let our buses hit the road after a long gap, there are no takers due to the public apprehensions.
The situation is volatile and people are in no mood to invite any risk,” A. Koteswara Rao, Regional Manager of the APSRTC, Krishna Region, told The Hindu on Sunday.
‘Perishable business’
“Ours is a perishable business. Once lost, it is lost forever. This is an irreparable damage and we have no clue as to how to make up for this huge dent,” he rues.
The APSRTC buses are the first targets of mob fury, be it any part of the State. The authorities’ efforts to do minimal business by plying local services did not fructify, as buses are being intercepted in villages. Besides, the Telangana trouble has prompted people to postpone their travel plans. “This is the time of the year when a large number of people visit Tirupati.
To avoid possible en route problems at Guntur, Prakasam or Nellore districts, they are choosing to defer the pilgrimage. The same is the case with Bhadrachalam in Khammam district. All temples wear a deserted look,” he pointed out.
On Monday, the APSRTC plans to launch a Vaishnav Darsini, a new package for devotees heading to Vaishnav temples in the region.
“There is a slight delay in the launch of the new package, but we hope that the on-going turmoil ends making way for people to travel freely without any fear. This is a crucial time of the year for the APSRTC when people make travel plans for Christmas and New Year. The passing away of this crucial period without any activity is a matter of serious concern. All we can hope is that the trouble ends early. The sooner the better for us,” he says.
