Fallout of RTC as bus driver crushes autowallah

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HYDERABAD: In what is seen as a fallout of the RTC drivers strike, an auto driver was crushed to death under wheels of a bus alleg..

HYDERABAD: In what is seen as a fallout of the RTC drivers strike, an auto driver was crushed to death under wheels of a bus allegedly driven by an 'inexperienced' driver at Yousufguda on Wednesday mormning. Locals and proTelangana activists decried the decision of the governent to engage contract drivers to ply services, risking lives of people.
K Mallesh's (28) auto was standing at Indiranagar in Yousufguda when an RTC bus, being allegedly driven by a hired driver came in reverse direction and hit his autorickshaw' killing Mallesh on the spot. The bus driver fled from the place fearing public fury. At least five others suffered minor injuries and other vehicles got damaged, as the bus ran over them before coming to a halt.According to police and eyewitnesses, the 10H bus with registration number AP 29 TA 0686, was on its way from Secunderabad to Kondapur. When the bus reached Indiranagar, the driver who reportedly had no knowledge about the locality did not expect the sharp curve and steep height of the road. As a result, he lost control over the vehicle and the bus came in reverse only to hit the stationary auto. "The driver who was inside the vehicle received severe injuries and before we could reach him, he was dead," said Ramakrishna, an eyewitness.

Locals and proTelangana activists including RTC staff staged a protest alleging the bus was driven by a person who did not have the ability to drive the vehicle in city traffic. People's representatives led by TRS MLA T Harish Rao alleged the RTC management had ignored the safety of public in its bid to forcefully operate buses.

Meanwhile, APSRTC operated about 300 buses in Hyderabad on Wednesday using contract drivers. While police said the bus driver was a trainee appointed by the RTC management, transport minister Botcha Satyanarayana told reporters the driver has been working with the APSRTC for the past three years. Officials informed he was new to the city and could not have expected the sharp curve on the road. However, locals alleged the bus was being operated by a constable.

Labour minister D Nagender rushed to the spot and announced compensation of `5 lakh from the state government and a job to one family member, apart from another `5 lakh on behalf of the Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee.