Telangana, high fares ruin Sankranti fest

Owing to agitations for and against bifurcation of the state, thousands of people are not going to celebrate Sankranti with their family members in their native place.

According to transport departments’ estimations, as many as 20 lakh people from Hyderabad go to their native towns ever year during Sankranti.

This figure, however, will not cross even 14 lakh this year. This is because certain associations have threatened that they will not allow people (who have left the town cities) to return to Hyderabad.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), which planned to operate 3,800 special buses will operate just 2,000 owing to poor bookings by passengers.

A steep hike in bus fares is apparently another reason for the cancellation of tours. The fares are now out of the reach of the common man.

The APSRTC executive director, Mr P. Narayana Swamy, said, “Many passengers cancelled their trips due to threatening statements by agitators. Except for Tuesday, there wasn’t much demand for special buses which were being operated from January 8.”

Hyderabad and Secunderabad Private Bus Operators Association’s advisory member, Mr Ramesh Ai-yyengar, has expressed similar concerns saying, “Operators enjoyed good business during Sankranti. But this time, there is not much to be happy about. Agitations over the bifurcation of state spoiled the transport business. Tourism was also affected badly.”