Pushed off bus over change, TGSRTC woman conductor dies days later

An argument reportedly broke out over the boy’s fare and the balance due after a passenger handed over a Rs 100 note.

Hyderabad: A 24-year-old woman conductor of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) died in a Hyderabad hospital on Tuesday, November 3, more than a week after a woman passenger allegedly pushed her out of a moving bus over a dispute about change for a ticket.

Gundla Pravalika, attached to the Manuguru depot in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, had been on treatment at Sai Sanjeevani Hospital since the incident on Sunday, October 25, according to The Times of India.

Government announces aid

Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed grief over her death and announced Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance to her family. He said the government would also give a job to Pravalika’s mother and allot Indiramma houses to the family, and assured that the state and TGSRTC would extend all possible support.

Additionally, as per the RTC’s decision, the family will receive Rs 1 crore towards accident insurance compensation through the bank.

TGSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Y Nagireddy also mourned her death, calling it an irreparable loss to the corporation.

TGSRTC workers protest conductor’s death

TGSRTC workers staged a protest outside the Manuguru depot over Pravalika’s death. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) called a bus strike across the Khammam region, and buses were halted at their respective depots. In Manuguru, buses remained confined to the depot.

Speaking at the protest, JAC leaders demanded adequate protection for RTC employees and an end to attacks on workers while they perform their duties. They urged the government to provide comprehensive support to Pravalika’s family and sought legal action against Mounika, who is accused of causing the incident.

How the dispute began

Pravalika was on duty on a Palle Velugu bus travelling from Manuguru to Bhadrachalam when the passenger, identified as Mounika, boarded with her son. An argument reportedly broke out over the boy’s fare and the balance due after Mounika handed over a Rs 100 note.

Police said Mounika insisted on getting her change immediately, while Pravalika asked her to collect it when she got off. The row escalated as the bus reached Mittagudem village in Aswapuram mandal.

Mounika allegedly pushed Pravalika out of the moving bus. The conductor fell on the road, and the rear wheels ran over her right leg, crushing it. She also suffered serious injuries to her left leg.

Pravalika was first rushed to the Bhadrachalam area hospital and then shifted to Hyderabad for advanced treatment. Police took Mounika into custody and registered a case on a complaint by the Manuguru depot manager.