Telangana Govt Assures Comprehensive Support to Deceased RTC Conductor Pravalika’s Family

Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has assured that the state government and the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) will extend all possible support to the family of Gundla Pravalika, a woman conductor from the Manuguru depot who died after sustaining critical injuries in an incident involving a passenger. Expressing deep grief over her death, the minister said he had hoped that she would recover after receiving treatment and return to duty. However, her demise was extremely painful.

The incident occurred on October 25, when Pravalika was working aboard a Palle Velugu bus travelling from Manuguru to Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. A woman passenger, identified as Banoth Mounika, boarded the bus with her son. An argument reportedly broke out over the ticket fare for the boy, whose age was disputed, and the return of change after the passenger handed over a Rs 100 note for a Rs 10 ticket. Pravalika reportedly asked her to collect the remaining Rs 90 upon reaching her destination.

The disagreement escalated when the bus reached Mittagudem village in Aswapuram mandal. During the altercation, the passenger allegedly pushed Pravalika out of the moving bus. She fell onto the road and came under its rear wheels, suffering devastating injuries to her legs. She was initially taken to a hospital in Bhadrachalam before being shifted to Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Hyderabad for advanced treatment. Despite medical efforts over nearly 10 days, she died on November 3. Police arrested the accused passenger and registered a case.

Pravalika's death also triggered protests among RTC employees, who staged demonstrations demanding stronger protection for staff members on duty. Workers across the undivided Khammam district reportedly participated in a bandh, highlighting concerns over workplace safety and confrontations with passengers.

Meanwhile, Ponnam Prabhakar said strict legal action would be taken against those responsible. Acting on the directions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the government announced a job for Pravalika's mother and an Indiramma house for the family. The family will also receive Rs 10 lakh in ex-gratia assistance from the government and RTC, along with Rs 1 crore in accident insurance compensation through a bank.