Government Rules Out APSRTC Privatisation With Rollout of E-Buses
Krishna Babu said the interaction with media has been organised to clear misconceptions within the public and APSRTC employees over the introduction of electric buses.
Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday categorically refuted reports that the induction of electric buses into APSRTC would lead to privatisation of the corporation.
“Jobs of the RTC employees as well as the corporation's assets will remain fully protected,” special chief secretary (Transport) M.T. Krishna Babu assured at a press conference he called on behalf of the state government.
Krishna Babu said the interaction with media has been organised to clear misconceptions within the public and APSRTC employees over the introduction of electric buses.
He clarified that APSRTC depots, lands, workshops, garages, and other assets would neither be leased nor transferred to private agencies. Operators selected under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model would only use designated premises for charging and maintenance during the contract period, while ownership of all assets would continue with APSRTC.
The special chief secretary pointed out that the GCC model is a nationwide policy adopted by the union government under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, considering the high investment and specialised maintenance required for electric buses. He explained that of the 1,050 electric buses sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh, contracts for 750 buses have been finalised in the first phase.
Krishna Babu maintained that temporary redeployment of some employees is only to facilitate civil and electrical infrastructure works at select depots. It would not affect their job security. He said the government has no proposal to retrench employees. It is also examining a Dry Lease Model under which APSRTC staff would continue to operate buses, while specialised maintenance would remain with the manufacturers of e-buses.
The special chief secretary revealed that the state government aims to replace diesel buses with air-conditioned electric buses by 2029 under AP SEMP 4.0 programme.
He pointed out that the government provides nearly ₹350 crore every month towards APSRTC employees' salaries and terminal benefits. He requested people not to believe rumours about the corporation's future.
