Hyderabad: More than a year after the last round of medical examinations, mandatory annual health check-ups for drivers of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) remain in limbo, raising serious concerns over passenger safety and employee welfare. Despite clear norms mandating periodic medical screening for commercial drivers, no structured health evaluation has been conducted since April 2024, transport unions and employees said. Under transport and labour safety regulations, RTC drivers are required to undergo regular medical fitness tests to assess cardiovascular health, vision, hearing, and overall physical and mental well-being. However, thousands of drivers operating city and long distance services across Telangana continue to work without these evaluations, even as they endure long hours and stressful conditions. The absence of routine screening, employees warn, increases the risk of undetected chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
A senior RTC employee, speaking to TOI on condition of anonymity, said the corporation’s focus appeared misplaced. “Unfortunately, employee well-being seems to be a low priority, while the condition of buses is looked after well,” he said. “Health checks must be conducted twice a year to identify health issues early. If any problems are detected, suitable recommendations should be given to safeguard human resources, which are the most critical asset of the corporation,” he said.Lack of monitoringThe lack of medical monitoring has already led to alarming incidents. Over the past year, several RTC drivers reportedly suffered heart attacks or sudden health complications while on duty. In one instance, a middle-aged driver experienced chest pain while driving on a highway route. He managed to stop the bus and alert passengers before collapsing, averting a major accident, but later died of cardiac arrest. In another case, a driver fell critically ill mid-route, leaving passengers stranded until emergency assistance arrived. Union leaders say such incidents reflect deeper systemic neglect. Yadaiah, state secretary of the retired employees’ union, said drivers often work 12 to 15 hours a day due to staff shortages, erratic schedules, and pressure to maintain timetables. Without routine medical assessments, conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac ailments, and fatigue-related disorders remain undiagnosed until they turn into emergencies behind the wheel. Raji Reddy, another union leader, said that while the RTC management has cited occasional health camps and welfare initiatives, these cannot substitute mandatory, structured medical tests. Employees and unions are demanding the immediate resumption of regular health check-ups—preferably twice a year—along with reduced duty hours and proper medical follow-up for affected staff.Public safety concernWith lakhs of passengers depending on RTC services every day, unions say drivers’ health is not merely an employee welfare issue but a critical public safety concern. They stress that preventive healthcare is essential to ensuring safe and reliable public transport in the state.Responding to TOI’s queries on the absence of medical check-ups since April 2024, TGSRTC vice-chairman and managing director Y Nagireddy said, “Health check-up for drivers is a regular process. Drivers below 45 years undergo medical examination once in two years, while those above 45 years are required to undergo health check-ups every year.” He said that a ‘grand health challenge’ (GHC 1.0) was conducted in 2022 covering all employees at a cost of Rs 333 per employee, followed by GHC 2.0 on April 18, 2024, and a separate programme for employees’ spouses on Sept 12, 2024, both at a cost of Rs 220 per employee. “All these programmes were conducted through Call Health,” he added.
link