Death of RTC conductor Pravalika raises concerns over safety of conductors, drivers

Kothagudem: The death of a female conductor, G Pravalika of Manuguru depot in the district has exposed how minor issues between passengers and TGRTC staff are turning into troublesome episodes for the corporation staff.

Though arguments between the staff and passengers never claimed the life of an on-duty staff member, the Manuguru incident is said to be the first such incident in the RTC’s history. The reason for it was a passenger’s refusal to get a half ticket for her minor son- a problem often faced by the conductors, besides disputes in handing over change to passengers.

According to sources, the passenger, Banoth Mounika on October 25 boarded a Pallevelugu bus at Manuguru bus stand to reach Mittagudem village, in Aswapuram mandal, five kilometres away from Manuguru.

She availed zero-ticket facility under Mahalakshmi scheme and did not buy a ticket for her son claiming him to below five years. After an altercation with Pravalika, the passenger bought a ticket worth Rs 10 giving Rs 100 note and the passenger was told to get the change later.

Arguments took place again between the conductor and the passenger when the latter’s stop arrived over the change. The conductor was said to have prevented the passenger from alighting and demanded the latter to come to Aswapuram police station for creating ruckus in the bus.

Then the passenger, trying to get down from the bus, pushed away the conductor, who came under the rear wheels of the bus and her two legs were crushed by it, subsequently causing her death.

In the wake of Pravalika’s death, many RTC conductors and drivers have expressed concern over the work conditions and complained that they are put under heavy pressure after the introduction of free travel for women under Mahalakshmi scheme.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Staff and Workers Federation district vice-president, Potla Shekhar noted that the government must make it mandatory for passengers to produce Aadhaar cards of their minor kids, to verify their age, so that disputes with passengers could be avoided.

The government must ensure safety of drivers and conductors, who made the Mahalakshmi Scheme successful. Buses were overcrowded as often over 100 passengers, majority of them women, traveled in the buses due to lack of sufficient number of buses. The issue must be addressed, he said.

A female conductor of Kothagudem depot complained that passengers were turning extremely impatient, treating the conductors and drivers in an insulting manner. A GO should be released for the protection of the RTC staff, she added.

Pravalika of Kothagudem got the job under compassionate appointment scheme after the death of her father G Nagaraju, who worked as a mechanic. She joined duties 10 months ago and is the sole breadwinner for the family.