RTC buses to sport iron grills from now

After a few private firms and shopping malls installed shields in front of their buildings as protection from stone-pelting, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has decided to follow suit.City buses will from now sport iron shields to protect them rioters.The measure comes supposedly due to apprehensions about law and order problems after the Srikrishna Committee submits its recommendations on the Telangana issue by December 31. Hundreds of buses plying in the twin cities are therefore gearing up to install iron safety grills at the front, rear and either sides of window panes.G Jaya Rao, executive director, RTC, Hyderabad zone told Express they had taken the decision to install iron grills on selected buses to protect them from agitators. “Any incident or statement made by political parties is leading to agitators targeting the state-run buses and damaging them. To protect our assets during bandhs and other disturbances, we have taken this decision,” he added.24 bus depots are situated in the Greater Hyderabad Zone which operate at least 3,520 buses on various routes in the twin cities. Jaya Rao explained they were planning to operate their bus services in select routes during disturbances. “Initially, we fixed 500 buses with iron grills under a pilot project and are already plying on their respective routes. We are also in the process of identifying sensitive locations where we operate bus services,” he added.He said the safety grills come welded on all four corners and installed at the front, rear and either sides of window panes, using tamper- proof bolts or screws. Since they are made to keep intruders out, there is a fast release mechanism situated within that lets the grill to hinge open within, in event of an emergency.He felt it was better to take precautionary measures to protect public properties. The RTC is also giving training to drivers on how to protect buses, if agitators attack.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com