Night Raid at Bus Bhavan Escalates Andhra-Telangana RTC Asset Dispute
A dramatic late-night entry by officials from the Telangana commercial taxes department into a contested floor at Bus Bhavan in Hyderabad's RTC X Roads has reignited long-simmering tensions between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This incident has thrust the unresolved division of RTC assets back into the spotlight, more than a decade after the states' bifurcation.
The Flashpoint: Fourth Floor of 'A' Block
At the heart of this latest confrontation is the fourth floor of the 'A' block at Bus Bhavan, a property currently under the administrative control of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). The trouble began when the Telangana government issued an official communication permitting its commercial taxes officials to occupy that specific space. On the night of April 1, officials reportedly entered the premises, asserting their claim to the area.
The move triggered an immediate and forceful response from Andhra Pradesh. By April 3, APSRTC officials had "re-secured" the fourth floor and locked it. Sources indicate that APSRTC staff went a significant step further, taking control of the entire 'A' block—locking all floors and effectively sealing the building to prevent further incursions.
Current Standoff and Operational Realities
Presently, approximately 15 APSRTC personnel continue to function from the ground floor of the 'A' block, managing critical bus services between Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad. The upper floors, however, remain firmly locked, creating a tense stalemate at the site.
The Andhra Pradesh government has formally written to its Telangana counterpart, urging it not to allocate any space within Bus Bhavan to other departments until the asset-sharing process is conclusively and formally settled. The APSRTC regional manager has also raised the matter directly with TGSRTC managing director Y Nagi Reddy, highlighting serious concerns over access rights and administrative control.
Historical Context and Asset Division
Bus Bhavan, originally constructed as the headquarters of APSRTC, spans approximately 1.25 lakh square feet and is divided into 'A' and 'B' blocks across five floors. At the time of the states' bifurcation, a broad agreement was reached that the 'A' block would be allocated to APSRTC, while the 'B' block would go to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC).
However, matters did not conclude there. An expert committee led by retired IAS officer Sheila Bhide, in its report submitted on November 2, 2018, classified Bus Bhavan as a common asset. TGSRTC agreed to treat it as a shared headquarters, but APSRTC maintains that no final and legally binding decision has yet been reached regarding the definitive division of these assets.
Union Stance and Institutional Ownership
Adding another complex layer to this issue, RTC unions in Telangana have taken a firm and vocal stance. They argue that the assets belong to the corporation itself rather than to either state government. M. Thomas Reddy, vice-chairman of the TGSRTC Joint Action Committee, has emphasised that administrative authority should not override institutional ownership in the absence of a formal and mutual settlement.
Union leaders have also strongly criticised the Telangana government for allowing commercial taxes offices—previously located in Panjagutta and Secunderabad—to be shifted into the 'A' block without obtaining APSRTC's prior consent. They assert that neither state can claim exclusive rights over Bus Bhavan until this protracted dispute is fully and fairly resolved.
Protests and Temporary Resolution
Amid the escalating standoff, the TGSRTC Joint Action Committee had announced a protest programme titled 'Bachao Bus Bhavan' on Tuesday, opposing the allocation of space to the commercial taxes department. The protest, however, was called off after the block was reclaimed by APSRTC, with union leaders terming this development a "significant victory" for RTC workers and their collective cause.
This incident underscores the deep-seated and unresolved issues surrounding asset division between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, highlighting how administrative actions can quickly escalate into interstate tensions with broader implications for governance and public services.
