Auto Unions Oppose TGSRTC Plan to Introduce E-Autorickshaws in Hyderabad

Autorickshaw unions and gig worker organisations in Hyderabad have voiced strong opposition to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation’s plan to launch electric autorickshaws for last-mile connectivity.

The public transport corporation announced on July 30 that it plans to roll out e-autorickshaws to transport passengers from designated bus stops directly to their doorsteps under an integrated single-ticket system. TGSRTC said the pilot project would start with city services in Hyderabad before expanding elsewhere to attract more commuters to public buses.

Auto unions view the proposed service as a direct blow to their earnings. Umar Khan, an autorickshaw drivers union leader with the All India Trade Union Congress, stated that the state government’s Mahalakshmi scheme providing free bus travel for women had already reduced their business significantly. Khan warned that introducing corporation-backed e-autos would worsen financial strain on drivers.

Representatives from gig and platform worker unions also raised concerns over how the system would operate. They urged the transport corporation to incorporate existing electric auto drivers into the initiative and called for transparency regarding private aggregator involvement.

An officer on special duty at TGSRTC stated that the e-auto proposal remains in its initial stages. The officer added that the government will take a final decision considering the interests of both the public and autorickshaw drivers, maintaining that improved last-mile connectivity will boost public transport usage.

The new initiative has also brought renewed scrutiny to TGSRTC’s past last-mile connectivity efforts. Around 60 Vajra air-conditioned mini-buses operated by the corporation are currently grounded due to recurring AC faults and mechanical breakdowns. Similarly, city mini-buses deployed in interior localities such as the Old City, Dilsukhnagar, and Borabanda were discontinued around a year ago because of traffic constraints and maintenance issues, leaving nearly half of the fleet in scrap condition.