TGSRTC union elections began on Friday across Telangana after a nearly decade-long gap, with about 35,000 workers expected to vote at 115 polling booths set up across the corporation’s depots. The election will determine the recognised union representing employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation.
Polling is being conducted under enhanced security arrangements, according to the corporation. Twelve unions are contesting the election, with the main contest involving the Employees Union, Telangana Mazdoor Union, National Mazdoor Union and Telangana RTC Workers, among others. Several unions have formed alliances, with political backing reported from the ruling Congress, left parties, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The electorate includes 14,514 conductors, 13,769 drivers, 4,207 garage staff and 2,409 employees in other categories. The composition of the voter base reflects the range of operational and maintenance roles that keep the state’s public bus network functioning.
The Greater Hyderabad zone has the largest voter base, with 13,797 employees, followed by the Karimnagar zone with 11,392 and the Hyderabad zone with 9,303. The corporation’s head office has 274 eligible voters, while the bus body unit at Miyapur has 133.
Polling arrangements have been distributed across the main centres according to the number of voters. The Greater Hyderabad zone has 32 polling booths, the Hyderabad zone has 38 and the Karimnagar zone has 45. Together, these zones account for the 115 booths established across the corporation’s depots in the state.
The return of union elections after nearly ten years marks a significant institutional development for TGSRTC employees. The process provides a formal route for workers across driving, ticketing, garage and administrative operations to choose a recognised representative body. The election also takes place within a public transport system where employee coordination is closely connected to the daily operation of bus services, although the report does not indicate any disruption to services during polling.
The election has drawn attention because of the participation of multiple unions and alliances backed by political parties. The contest is therefore taking place across both occupational groups and competing organisational platforms, with the final mandate depending on the votes cast by employees at the corporation’s different locations.
The results of the TGSRTC union elections are scheduled to be declared on October 17.
