Hi-tech customized ‘vanity’ buses for CMs of Telangana and AP

HYDERABAD: Both Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu are getting state-of-the-art buses for themselves. Each is made-to-order and comes with a heavy price tag. Chandrasekhar Rao, who assumed the role of a street warrior during the Telangana agitation, will hit the road again starting this July in a brand new bus being procured by the state government. Till now he has been primarily using a helicopter for his tours in the state _ be it for site inspections, launch of programmes or laying of foundation stones.

The bus, the design and specifications of which have been kept under wraps, will have state-of-the-art facilities for communication, sources said. "The idea is to have all the facilities so the chief minister can use the bus as an office on the move," an official said. The vehicle will have a functional but comfortable bedroom, will be bullet-proof and its floor reinforced so as to make it blast-proof.

Initially, the bus is expected to be used extensively for KCR's Harita Haram programme tours. Sources in the government said the road trips will enable the chief minister to also see how the drinking water grid and Mission Kakatiya programmes are being implemented. He is expected to spend at least 10 days a month in the bus.