Andhra Pradesh’s state-run bus service, APSRTC, has been hit hard by Cyclone Montha, which has relentlessly pounded various parts of the state. The intense cyclone conditions prompted a government advisory for residents to stay indoors, effectively bringing most road traffic to a halt.
As a result, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation dramatically scaled back its operations. “We are running buses only when absolutely necessary, focusing on maintaining crucial connectivity where possible,” stated A. Appala Raju, the Executive Director of Operations, during an interview.
Under normal circumstances, APSRTC buses collectively travel an impressive 40 lakh kilometers daily. However, due to the cyclone, Wednesday saw only about half the fleet in action, covering a mere 20 lakh kilometers, primarily in areas less affected by the storm. This drastic reduction in services, coupled with severely restricted public mobility, led to a significant 50% drop in daily revenue, accumulating an estimated ₹10 crore loss for the day.
Despite ongoing efforts throughout Wednesday, the full resumption of bus services remained elusive. Coastal districts, particularly impacted by the cyclone, continued to experience partial suspensions due to widespread road damage, uprooted trees, and fallen electric poles. Emergency crews are working tirelessly to clear debris and restore vital transport links. “Many rivulets in coastal areas are overflowing, severely hampering vehicular movement. We anticipate that full operations can only resume once these routes are completely clear,” Mr. Raju explained. While districts like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Konaseema faced extensive disruptions, areas such as Anantapur and Tirupati managed to maintain closer-to-normal services. Officials remain optimistic about a swift return to full-scale operations as weather conditions improve and infrastructure repairs progress.