TGSRTC merger with Telangana govt after trade union polls, says Minister Ponnam
Synopsis
Telangana's long-pending TGSRTC merger with the state government now has a clear sequencing: trade union elections first, merger talks after. With an 11% pay revision already sanctioned and a new bus depot in Peddapalli on the anvil, the government is visibly managing employee sentiment ahead of what could be a politically sensitive structural overhaul.
Key Takeaways
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed the TGSRTC merger with the Telangana government will follow elections for the recognised trade union.
Trade union elections are expected to be held shortly , with merger consultations to involve elected representatives.
An 11 per cent pay revision for TGSRTC employees was sanctioned following talks involving five ministers and 40 RTC representatives under the Deputy Chief Minister.
The minister, along with senior colleagues, inspected the proposed Peddapalli bus depot site; Chief Minister A.
Revanth Reddy had sanctioned the depot.
New bus procurement is underway to meet rising demand, partly driven by the free bus travel scheme for women .
Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday announced that the merger of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) with the state government will proceed only after elections for the recognised trade union are conducted. The minister made the remarks while addressing employees and officials, urging workers to set aside any apprehensions about the process.
Merger Timeline and Trade Union Elections
Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed that trade union elections for the TGSRTC would be held shortly, and that the merger process would move forward only after consultations with the elected representatives. He emphasised that every precaution was being taken to prevent disputes or hurdles during the transition, and reassured employees that all outstanding issues would be addressed.
Pay Revision and Ministerial Consultations
The minister disclosed that under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister, a series of discussions were held involving five ministers, senior officials, and 40 RTC representatives. These consultations resulted in the sanctioning of an 11 per cent pay revision for TGSRTC employees — a move the government said was aimed at addressing long-pending demands ahead of the structural merger.
Peddapalli Bus Depot Inspection
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, accompanied by Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT, Industries and Legislative Affairs, and Government Whip Vijaya Ramana Rao, inspected the proposed site for a new bus depot at the Peddapalli district headquarters. The minister noted that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had sanctioned the depot following requests from Rao and Sridhar Babu. While construction had faced delays, steps have now been initiated to accelerate the project and ensure its early inauguration.
Rural Connectivity and Fleet Expansion
Ponnam Prabhakar stated that the government is actively working to strengthen bus connectivity in rural areas, noting a surge in demand for RTC services to villages since the rollout of the free bus travel scheme for women. He added that procurement of new RTC buses is currently underway to meet growing public demand, with the government committed to reinforcing TGSRTC's role within the broader public transport network.
The merger, once completed, is expected to bring TGSRTC employees under government service conditions — a demand that has been at the centre of employee agitation for several years. The trade union election outcome will be a key determinant of how smoothly the transition proceeds.
Point of View
Announced ahead of the merger, is a concession that signals the government is aware of the leverage unionised RTC workers hold. What remains unaddressed is a credible timeline: 'shortly' and 'soon' are not commitments, and past RTC merger announcements in Telangana have stalled at precisely this stage. The real test will be whether the trade union elections produce a representative body willing to negotiate — or one that digs in on legacy demands the merger cannot easily accommodate.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the TGSRTC merger with the Telangana government happen?
The merger will be undertaken after elections for the recognised TGSRTC trade union are conducted, according to Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. The trade union elections are expected shortly, after which the merger process will proceed through consultations with elected representatives.
What is the TGSRTC merger and why does it matter?
The TGSRTC merger refers to the proposed integration of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation into the state government, which would bring RTC employees under government service conditions. It has been a long-standing demand of employees and a politically sensitive issue in Telangana.
What pay revision have TGSRTC employees received?
An 11 per cent pay revision has been sanctioned for TGSRTC employees following discussions involving five ministers, senior officials, and 40 RTC representatives, held under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister.
What is the status of the Peddapalli RTC bus depot?
The Peddapalli bus depot has been sanctioned by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and its proposed site was recently inspected by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. Construction had faced delays, but steps have been taken to accelerate the project for an early inauguration.
How is the free bus travel scheme for women affecting TGSRTC?
The free bus travel scheme for women has led to a significant increase in demand for RTC services to rural areas, prompting the government to procure new buses and work on expanding village-level bus connectivity.
