Wed Oct 08 15:13:34 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar defended the Congress government’s policies regarding the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) amidst protests from the BRS party. He highlighted the success of the Mahalakshmi Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, resulting in 250 crore free trips and a move out of losses for the corporation. He criticized the previous BRS government for neglecting the TGSRTC, not purchasing new buses, and attempting privatization.

**News Article:**

**Telangana Minister Defends Free Bus Scheme Amidst Protests, Accuses BRS of Neglect**

**Hyderabad, October 8, 2025** – Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar fiercely defended the Congress government’s handling of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) today, responding to a protest organized by the opposition BRS party. Dubbed “Chalo Bus Bhavan,” the protest aimed to highlight alleged issues within the corporation, including recent fare revisions.

Minister Prabhakar countered the BRS’s claims by highlighting the success of the Mahalakshmi Scheme, implemented shortly after the Congress assumed office. The scheme offers free bus travel for women, which he stated has resulted in a staggering 250 crore free trips and has helped the TGSRTC move out of financial losses.

“The women of Telangana have benefited immensely from the Mahalakshmi Scheme,” Prabhakar stated. “This initiative, launched within 48 hours of our government taking power, demonstrates our commitment to supporting women and strengthening public transport.”

The Minister further accused the previous BRS government of neglecting the TGSRTC during its tenure. “The BRS did not purchase a single new bus,” Prabhakar asserted. “They treated the corporation and its workers in a high-handed manner, especially during the 2019 protests. Their ultimate aim was to privatize the TGSRTC and dismiss all its employees.”

The political spat highlights the ongoing debate surrounding public transportation policies in Telangana, with the Congress government emphasizing social welfare initiatives and the BRS raising concerns about the financial sustainability of the TGSRTC. The future of the corporation and its services remains a key point of contention in the state’s political landscape.

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