Telangana RTC to Add 2,200 Electric Buses, Says Minister Ponnam Prabhakar

Hyderabad, May 2026 : In a major push towards green and sustainable public transportation, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday announced that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) will soon induct 2,200 electric buses into its fleet.

The minister made the announcement after flagging off 60 new electric buses at the Kukatpally depot in Hyderabad. He said the state government is committed to expanding eco-friendly public transport services while also strengthening the RTC infrastructure and improving commuter facilities.

Addressing the gathering, Prabhakar said that Telangana currently operates around 960 electric buses across the state and that the addition of another 2,200 EV buses would significantly enhance public transport services in both urban and inter-city sectors.

“As part of the green challenge and our commitment towards sustainable development, the RTC is introducing more electric vehicles to reduce pollution and strengthen public transportation,” the minister said.

He revealed that out of the 960 electric buses presently in operation, around 545 buses are running within Hyderabad city limits, while nearly 580 buses are being utilised for inter-city services. According to the minister, the large-scale deployment of electric buses would substantially cut carbon emissions and improve urban air quality.

He stated that the introduction of nearly 3,000 electric buses in total could help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 600 tonnes, making a major contribution towards environmental protection.

Prabhakar emphasised that the state government is keen to prevent Hyderabad from facing severe pollution levels similar to those experienced in cities like Delhi. He noted that increasing petrol and diesel prices have also made electric mobility a practical and economical alternative for public transportation systems.

“Everyone knows the burden caused by rising fuel prices. Electric buses are not only environment-friendly but also help reduce operational costs in the long run,” he said.

The minister said TGSRTC currently operates a fleet of nearly 10,000 buses, and close to 1,000 of them are already electric buses. He pointed out that approximately 35 lakh passengers use RTC services daily in Hyderabad, and the expansion of electric bus services would help reduce both traffic congestion and pollution levels in the city.

Prabhakar also highlighted several reforms initiated by the Congress government in the RTC sector since assuming office in Telangana. He said new recruitments, induction of modern buses, and infrastructure expansion were helping Telangana RTC emerge as one of the leading public transport organisations in the country.

Reiterating the government’s commitment towards employee welfare, the minister announced that on the second Tuesday of every month, District Managers, Regional Managers, and senior officials would conduct dedicated meetings to address employee grievances and resolve workplace issues.

He further stated that elections for recognition of RTC trade unions would soon be conducted, after which discussions would be held with union representatives to address pending concerns of employees.

The minister also spoke about the success of the state government’s ‘Mahalakshmi Scheme’, under which women are being provided free bus travel facilities across Telangana. He revealed that women passengers have so far utilised nearly 310 crore tickets under the scheme.

Apart from offering free travel, the government is also planning initiatives aimed at economically empowering women by enabling them to become bus owners, he added.

The programme was attended by Madhavaram Krishna Rao, Naveen, TGSRTC Managing Director Nagireddy, Medchal District Collector Manu Choudhary and other senior officials.

Team Maverick.