Visakhapatnam RTC Rest House at MVP Colony Draws Staff Complaints Over Poor Facilities
The RTC rest house at the MVP Colony bus station in Visakhapatnam, built to provide relief for Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) long-distance staff, has become a growing concern. Drivers and conductors allege that after working 10 to 12 hours on routes from Vijayawada, Amalapuram, Rajolu, Tadepalligudem, and Tenali, they are forced to stay in poor conditions without basic facilities.
The MVP Colony RTC rest building was constructed to allow staff to take breaks after reaching the city before another crew takes over the return journey. Many drivers and conductors also stay overnight at the bus station rest house before resuming duty the following day. Employees say the facility has become almost unusable due to lack of maintenance.
Although the rest house has 13 beds and ceiling fans, only one or two fans are functional, leaving staff to suffer in the heat. The cement sheet roof has worsened the situation, turning the rooms unbearably hot even during mild sunlight.
“It feels like punishment after duty,” said a driver from Rajolu depot. “We come here after driving for hours, but instead of rest, we are left to struggle in suffocating heat.”
A conductor on the Vijayawada route shared a similar experience. “The rest house turns into an oven during the day. Sleep is almost impossible, and many of us feel sick due to the heat,” he said.
Drivers point out that repeated complaints to APSRTC officials have brought no response. “Every day we request repairs, but nothing is done. How can we drive safely the next day without proper rest?” asked a driver from Amalapuram depot.
Staff argue that neglecting the RTC rest house not only affects their welfare but also threatens passenger safety. Exhausted and sleep-deprived drivers are forced back on duty, they said. Employees have urged APSRTC authorities to urgently repair the fans, improve ventilation, and replace the cement sheet roofing to ensure minimum comfort.
The MVP Colony bus station is one of Visakhapatnam’s busiest hubs, handling services from multiple depots. Staff say it is unacceptable that the rest building remains in such a condition despite its importance for long-distance operations. They have appealed to the management to act quickly, keeping in mind both employee welfare and commuter safety.