APSRTC All Prepared, But Services To Resume Only After Govt's Order: AP Transport Minister

Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Venkatramaiah said that despite our preparedness, the services will begin only after the government gives a green signal.

APSRTC has made all the necessary arrangements to start the bus services. (File Photo/ Getty)

Andhra Pradesh: Transport Minister Perni Venkatramaiah on Monday reiterated that the state  government will take a decision on resumption of intra-state and inter-state public transport by Monday evening or on Tuesday. Meanwhile the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has made all the necessary arrangements to start the bus services on short notice. According to the reports, Venkatramaiah said that "The state RTC is fully prepared to run buses, whether within the state or to the outer states. Seats in buses are marked so that social distancing norms will be maintained. Clarifying on when the services are expected to restart, Venkatramaiah said that despite our preparedness, the services will begin after the government gives a green signal. "However, as the situation in the state is gradually recovering, the Chief Minister may even extend lockdown till May 31. Whatever may be the decision, the APSRTC is ready to run buses accordingly," he added. Elaborating on the initiatives taken by the authorities in order to maintain the norms of social distancing, Minister said that "Since the lockdown is in force, we would operate buses according to the central regulations and changed the seating arrangement to maintain physical distancing. He went on to say that the marking system is being implemented in the buses with proper precautions against the spread of corona. Among other Indian states, Andhra Pradesh has also recorded several coronavirus cases. A day after witnessing just 25 cases on Sunday— one of the lowest daily tallies — the State reported 52 fresh COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours as of Monday, taking the overall tally to 2,432, including 150 migrant cases. So far, 50 people have lost their lives to the deadlu disease while nearly 1,465 people have recovered and been sent home from hospitals.