HYDERABAD: The government has once again come to the rescue of the AP State Road Transport Corporation by seeking a proposal from it to take up the work of fixing reflective tapes on the rear of transport vehicles.
At present, the work is being carried out by local private companies. The tapes are supplied by three Mumbai- based manufacturing units which are authorised by the central government.
The companies are: M-3, Ivory and Retro. The reflective tapes help drivers notice the vehicle ahead on highways at night, thus preventing accidents.
At present, local companies are fixing reflective tapes to buses, lorries and other transport vehicles by charging Rs 1,000 to 1,200 for each vehicle. There are over 24 lakh transport vehicles, including RTC's, in the state.
Reflective tapes have to be fixed every year to these vehicles.
About 100 to 120 metres of reflective tape is needed for a heavy vehicle and 40 to 120 metres for a light commercial vehicle.
At a recent meeting held with RTA and RTC officials in Hyderabad, transport minister Botcha Satyanarayana discussed the possibility of entrusting the work to RTC.
According to an RTC official, the corporation will have the price advantage as it can buy the material in bulk and ensure the quality as well. Besides, it has the necessary infrastructure and can carry out the work at the 123 RTA fitness centres in the state.