TGSRTC Woman Conductor Pushed Off Moving Bus Over ₹90 Change Dispute
ATGSRTC woman conductor suffered severe leg injuries after being pushed off a moving bus in Bhadradri Kothagudem by a passenger during a dispute over ₹90 change. The attacker was arrested
BHADRADRI KOTHAGUDEM — A routine public transit journey turned into a grave tragedy in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district when a female Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) conductor sustained severe, life-threatening leg injuries after being pushed out of a moving bus by a passenger following an argument over loose change.
The conductor, identified as Pravalika attached to the Manuguru RTC depot, suffered severe crushing injuries to her right leg and fractures to her left leg after falling directly under the vehicle's rear wheels.
Argument Over Small Change Escalates Into Violence
The incident occurred aboard a Palle Velugu service traveling from Manuguru to Bhadrachalam.
According to police sources, the dispute began after a female passenger, identified as Mounika, boarded the bus at the Kalyanapuram stage accompanied by her young son. Mounika produced her Aadhaar card for free travel under the state scheme and handed Pravalika a ₹100 note to purchase a half-ticket for her child.
Owing to an immediate shortage of small notes, Pravalika requested Mounika to collect the ₹90 change when getting off at her stop. However, the passenger demanded the change immediately, igniting a heated confrontation.
As the vehicle neared the Mittagudem stop in Aswapuram mandal, Mounika attempted to alight. Pravalika, intending to take the passenger to the nearest police station to report the ongoing verbal abuse, stood near the footboard and asked the driver to continue moving. During the ensuing scuffle near the open doorway, Mounika allegedly shoved Pravalika out of the moving vehicle.
Pravalika lost her balance and fell onto the road, where the bus’s rear tires ran over her legs before the driver could stop.
Emergency Rescue and Medical Transfer
Horrified passengers and local eyewitnesses at the Mittagudem stage immediately rushed to assist Pravalika. She was transported via a 108 ambulance to the Government Area Hospital in Bhadrachalam for urgent medical triage.
Due to complex fractures and extensive tissue trauma in both legs, medical personnel recommended immediate specialized care, leading to her prompt transfer to a medical facility in Hyderabad for advanced surgery.
Police Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Following the incident, local residents and bus staff detained the passenger until officers arrived.
- Police Custody: Aswapuram police quickly took Mounika into custody at the scene.
- Formal Charges: A case was registered based on a joint complaint filed by the bus driver and the Manuguru RTC Depot Manager.
- Investigation: Aswapuram Circle Inspector Yellaiah confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway into the assault on an on-duty public servant.
Government Response and Employee Union Outrage
The brutal nature of the assault triggered widespread outrage across the state government and transport employee unions.
Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar strongly condemned the incident and reviewed the situation directly with TGSRTC Managing Director Y. Nagi Reddy. The Minister instructed corporation officials to ensure Pravalika receives the highest quality medical care at state expense.
In a statement addressing the incident, Minister Prabhakar emphasized:
"TGSRTC staff work tirelessly day and night to ensure passengers reach their destinations safely. Passengers must treat on-duty staff with empathy and respect. Any grievances should be brought to the notice of officials; resorting to violence is unacceptable. Our government prioritizes worker safety, and strict legal action will be taken against those responsible."
Meanwhile, leaders across various TGSRTC Employee Unions—including Eduru Venkanna, Thomas Reddy, Kamal Reddy, Narender, and Hanumanthu Mudiraj—expressed deep anger over the attack. Demanding severe prosecution of the accused, union leaders called upon the state government and RTC management to implement stricter safety measures to safeguard frontline bus crews, particularly female conductors, against workplace violence.
