The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) has appointed the son of conductor Shankar Goud, who died by self-immolation on April 23 during the corporation’s statewide strike, as a Record Treasurer. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar handed over the appointment letter on Thursday.
The appointment was presented as part of the government and RTC’s support for the bereaved family. Prabhakar said the decision followed directions from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He also said compensation had been provided to the family.
The minister said RTC employees across Telangana had contributed one day’s salary to support Goud’s family. The contribution amounted to nearly Rs. 1 crore, according to the report. The collection reflects the role of the state transport corporation’s workforce in providing direct assistance to the family following the conductor’s death.
The appointment comes as the state transport system manages increased passenger demand after the implementation of the free bus travel scheme for women. The scheme has increased pressure on bus services, requiring the corporation to address both immediate operational requirements and longer-term fleet capacity.
Prabhakar said the government was deploying additional buses to meet the growing demand. The minister also said steps were being taken to procure new buses and modernise bus stations, with the stated objective of improving passenger convenience.
The measures place the family appointment alongside wider decisions affecting TGSRTC’s workforce and public transport operations. While the appointment addresses immediate support for Goud’s son, additional bus deployment and proposed procurement relate to the corporation’s ability to maintain services as passenger numbers rise.
For commuters, the operational response will depend on the availability of additional buses and the pace at which new vehicles are procured. Bus-station modernisation is also expected to form part of the effort to improve passenger facilities, although the report did not specify the number of buses to be added, the stations to be upgraded or the implementation schedule.
The transport minister’s announcement therefore covered three immediate areas: employment support for the deceased conductor’s family, financial assistance from the RTC workforce and measures to expand and improve public transport services. The next steps identified by the government are the deployment and procurement of buses and the modernisation of bus stations across Telangana.
