BJP rally leaves commuter buses stranded in Hyderabad

Commuters unusually wait at bus stops as many city services were diverted to mobilize people for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s padayatra in Hyderabad on Monday. | Photo credit: SWATHI VADLAMUDI

Crowd mobilization for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s padayatra on Monday cost common commuters as the diversion of dozens of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) buses for a BJP event left passengers waiting for long at bus stands across the city.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hiring city buses from several depots to ferry people to rallies, many commuters were forced to divert to the metro or wait for services that did not arrive. Those who depended on regular bus service, especially pass holders, found their travel options limited.

At around 4 pm in Nampally, a stream of empty buses decorated with BJP flags headed towards the exhibition ground after dropping the participants near the padayatra site at Basheerbagh. At a nearby bus shelter, passengers watched the buses pass by, hoping that a regular service would arrive.

“I left early today after learning that buses will not be allowed on this route after some time. Looks like they have already been cancelled,” said Arunamma, an IV worker. classes of a nearby government office.

At the same stop, a family was waiting with children and luggage, hoping to catch a bus to Secunderabad. However, the available services were either SETWIN buses or higher priced luxury services.

“We have ordinary bus passes, but no ordinary bus passed here for almost half an hour,” said a member of this family.

On a typical day, several lines connect the area to Secunderabad, including routes 8, 20, 5 and 49.

“A large number of city buses were hired for the event. 30 services left from our depot alone,” said a driver from the Jeedimetla depot.

Attempts to contact TGSRTC officials to know the total number of buses taken out of regular service did not elicit any response.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Metro Red Line, which connects LB Nagar and Miyapur, witnessed an unusually heavy rush with several commuters opting for trains to reach the event.

Published – 02 Nov 2026 21:12 IST