Govt committed to strengthen APSRTC: Minister

Hyderabad, Sep 5 (UNI) Brushing aside media reports of the government taking steps against the interests of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), Transport and Cooperative Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana clarified the administration was only taking steps to strengthen the undertaking.

Speaking to newsmen here, the Minister said after the Congress Government came to power, efforts were made to strengthen the APSRTC. Financial support was extended and operational flexibility given to corporation to withdraw services from non-profitable routes. ''Eight new depots are being planned and recently, SETWIN bus services in city have also been revived,'' he said.

In 1980, the SETWIN services were started with 100 mini buses to help the unemployed. By 2004, the Transport Department objected to the plying of the buses as the vehicles 'were very old.' Other buses were scrapped and few involved in accidents.

With the intention of reviving the services, the government renewed 75 groups operating the buses.

Referring to GO 94 on privatising routes, Mr Lakshminarayana said the government would not take any step against APSRTC's interests.

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