Only 121 out of 5,790 challans on Telangana RTC buses cleared in 2024; Fines over ₹1 crore pending

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation faces traffic violation fines, highlighting challenges faced by bus drivers in Greater Hyderabad Zone.

In January this year, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) racked up 232 challans for traffic violations. This may well be the tip of an iceberg as in the preceding year over 5,000 violations were recorded, and the fine amount was a staggering ₹44 lakh.

The TGSRTC in its Greater Hyderabad Zone (GHZ) manages and operates 2,985 buses.

Information from the Hyderabad Traffic Police obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application, filed by Kareem Ansari, shows that the public transport sector undertaking is not ‘fine’ in terms of adhering to traffic rules. From January 1 to 27, the TGSRTC paid off two fines out of the 232. But, challans amounting to over ₹1.40 lakh remained uncleared.

In the previous year, the Traffic Police issued 5,790 challans, of which only 121 were paid, leaving an outstanding fine amount of ₹43,22,790. In 2023, RTC recorded a staggering 15,211 traffic violations. While 7,998 fines were cleared, ₹51,60,925 remained unpaid. In 2022, a total of 4,376 traffic violations were recorded, with 2,417 fines settled, but ₹14,41,665 in penalties remained unpaid.

While the numbers indicate the pressing need to adhere to traffic rules, those in the know pointed to the practical problems bus drivers face every day. Given the traffic conditions, the rush hour, and the pressing need to meet targets, on many occasions, it becomes difficult for drivers to stop exactly at designated bus stops. This forces them to halt in a traffic lane farther than the bus stop.

“While safe driving is essential, some offences seem quite unfair. Often, drivers are penalised for not stopping at designated shelters, even though photos clearly show that the bus could not access the edge of the road due to parked vehicles or poor road design,” said transport expert G.S.R. Chaitanya.

K. Hanumanthu Mudiraj of the Telangana Jatiya Mazdoor Union said that drivers have been asked to pay fines from their own pockets. “Drivers are under pressure because of the traffic. They have to maintain the bus schedule, avoid bunching of buses, and be on time. They have been told to pay fines from their own pockets. But, TGSRTC should pay these fines,” he said.