In a major relief for commuters, the Telangana RTC strike has been officially withdrawn after a breakthrough in negotiations between the state government and employee unions. The RTC strike called off decision came late Friday night following prolonged discussions, paving the way for TGSRTC buses resume services across the state from Saturday morning.
The development marks the end of a three-day disruption that had severely affected daily travel in several regions, particularly in and around Hyderabad. Authorities confirmed that Telangana bus services would return to normal operations, easing the burden on thousands of commuters.
Telangana RTC strike called off after marathon talks
The Telangana RTC strike began on April 22, with employees pressing for a total of 32 demands. The standoff continued until late Friday night, when a consensus was reached after extensive discussions at the state Secretariat. The negotiations, which lasted over seven hours, were led by Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and involved key ministers and officials.
Union representatives had strongly pushed for the fulfilment of all RTC workers demands, leading to intense deliberations. According to officials, the government agreed to address 31 out of the 32 demands, resulting in the RTC strike called off announcement.
TGSRTC buses resume as government accepts key demands
With the RTC strike called off, TGSRTC buses resume operations from Saturday, restoring connectivity across urban and rural areas. The resumption of Telangana bus services is expected to bring immediate relief to daily commuters, students, and workers who had been struggling with limited transportation options.
Among the major decisions, the government agreed to an RTC pay hike of 11%, a key demand of employees. Additionally, discussions on the RTC merger demand—which seeks integration of the corporation with the state government—were taken forward, indicating progress on long-standing issues.
Officials noted that while most demands were accepted, the implementation of revised pay scales under the Pay Revision Commission remains under review due to financial implications.
RTC workers demands include merger and union elections
The RTC workers demands extended beyond pay revisions to structural and administrative reforms. A central issue was the RTC merger demand, which employees argue would provide greater job security and financial stability.
Another significant aspect of the negotiations involved the restoration of employee unions that were dissolved during the previous administration. The government has agreed to reinstate these unions and conduct elections, addressing a major concern among workers.
The discussions also involved senior ministers, including Ponnam Prabhakar and D. Sridhar Babu, reflecting the importance of resolving the Hyderabad bus strike swiftly.
Hyderabad bus strike impact and commuter relief
The Hyderabad bus strike had caused widespread inconvenience, with commuters relying on alternative transport options such as autos and private vehicles. The sudden disruption highlighted the critical role of Telangana bus services in the daily functioning of the state.
Experts in public transport policy note that such strikes underline the need for sustainable solutions that balance employee welfare with operational efficiency. The quick resolution of the Telangana RTC strike is seen as a positive step toward maintaining stability in public transportation.