The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation has proposed to set up mini theatres with a seating capacity of 150 to 200 at 50 bus stations in the State as one of the revenue earning models to bail out the cash strapped corporation.
The theatres were proposed at bus stations like Kukatpally, Midhani and Ibrahimpatan. Film distributors in Telangana, small time producers and a private agency have submitted proposals to the government to start the theatres. One of them was likely to be allotted Patancheru bus station for a three year-lease on a pilot basis.
However, the permission could be given only after an amendment is made to the State cinematography legislation. A Cabinet sub-committee is looking into the matter, it was stated.
The plan for theatres is likely to come up when Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is scheduled to convene a meeting of RTC officials right down to the level of depot managers this week to explore ways to bail the corporation out of the red. This, apart, the management is focussed on modernisation of the fleet and infrastructure.
First phase
In the first phase, the modernisation plans with the objective to offer high end facilities and technological upgradation are designed for the Mahatma Gandhi and Jubilee bus stations in Hyderabad and the bus station complex in Karimnagar. Plans are afoot for ultra modern restaurants, cafeterias, amusement points, cyber cafes and mini theatres, sources said.
New buses will also be added in a phased manner with 20 Garuda Plus (Volvo), 60 Rajadhani (Indra), 30 luxury and 200 super luxury buses. Ten Garuda Plus and five Rajadhani buses have already taken to roads.
GHMC to subsidise RTC
The officials are also drawing up plans to make the corporation a profitable entity as desired by the Chief Minister. He had already instructed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to cross subsidise the RTC to an extent of Rs 200 crore a year as it is running urban services in the city. So, the GHMC has committed to pay Rs 18 crore a month.
The government has planned introduction of one air-conditioned Rajadhani (Indra) bus to Hyderabad from all Assembly constituency headquarters in districts. A bus is already running from Speaker S. Madhusudana Chary’s constituency of Bhoopalpally in Warangal district as part of it.
Repairs
Sources added that Mr. Rao was keen on repairs to bus stations, depots and other buildings of RTC. Therefore, the depot managers were asked to attend the meeting with him with reports about depot conditions, fleet, services, staff strength and financial situation. The managers of all 95 depots, 15 regional managers, five executive directors and higher ups, including the Minister, will be present.
