Cyclone Arnab costs APSRTC ₹ 13.10 crore in lost revenue

The Pandit Nehru Bus Stand has a deserted look as the APSRTC canceled several services in Vijayawadao on Wednesday in view of the impact of the cyclone. | Photo credit: KVS Giri

Cyclone Arnab, which hit parts of Andhra Pradesh from October 27 to 29, caused a revenue loss of ₹ 13.10 crore to the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). Bus services covering over 10.73 lakh km as scheduled have been canceled due to adverse weather conditions and safety concerns.

The cyclone also damaged four APSRTC vehicles and infrastructure including walls, garage buildings, sheds, sheds and electrical installations at various depots and bus stations.

APSRTC Chief Transport Manager (Traffic) John Sudhakar said services were canceled in view of heavy rainfall, strong winds and dangerous road conditions. “The cancellations have resulted in a loss of over 10.73 lakh km of regular bus service and an estimated revenue loss of ₹ 13.10 crore,” he told The Hindu on Tuesday.

A 20-feet long compound wall collapsed at Ravulapalem depot and a 10-feet long section of wall at Jaggampeta bus station also collapsed. Walls at Machilipatnam and Maddilapalem depots were damaged. In the Amalapuram garage, the roof sheets of the forge section and the canteen were damaged. A Schedule-III shed and HSD shed at Razole depot were also damaged.

The light tower at the Kakinada depot, the roof of the cycle rack at the Tuni garage and the roof of the toilet block and electrical installations at the Bhimavaram depot were damaged. The canopy tarpaulin at the Waltair depot and the roof tarpaulins of the record room and squad room at the Krishna District Public Transport Officer’s office were also affected.

APSRTC is assessing the damage and the expenditure required for repairs will be determined after the assessment, Mr. Sudhakar said.

Meanwhile, Mandipalli Transport Minister Ramprasad Reddy on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness of APSRTC and the transport department in view of Cyclone Murusu. He directed officials to suspend services where necessary, closely monitor weather and road conditions and deploy specialized staff at depots in affected areas. He also asked them to resume services as soon as conditions became safe and to inform passengers about cancellations, changes in times and service resumptions.

Published – 03 Nov 2026 18:48 IST