Telangana RTC Launches GI on Wheels to Showcase Six Heritage Crafts Across the State
A first in the country, Telangana RTC rolls out GI on Wheels initiative featuring six Geographical Indication crafts on buses to promote tourism, support artisans and celebrate Telangana cultural identity statewide.
- Telangana RTC launches GI on Wheels project.
- Six GI crafts displayed on RTC buses.
- GI on Wheels promotes Telangana heritage.
In a unique move aimed at celebrating regional identity, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation has unveiled GI on Wheels, an initiative that will display six Geographical Indication tagged crafts of Telangana on its buses. The program is being launched at Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station in Hyderabad in the presence of Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and RTC Managing Director Nagi Reddy.
Under this initiative, special designs representing six renowned GI crafts have been printed on select RTC buses. The artwork was conceptualized and designed by students of JNTU Fine Arts, adding a creative and youthful touch to the campaign. In the first phase, six express buses in each identified district will carry stickers highlighting the region’s signature craft.
The featured GI crafts include Pochampally Ikat, Narayanpet Sarees, Nirmal Paintings, Cheriyal Scroll Paintings, Warangal Carpets and Karimnagar Silver Filigree. These art forms are not just decorative traditions but livelihoods for many artisan families across the state. Some, like Nirmal Paintings, boast a history of over four centuries, while Karimnagar Silver Filigree received its GI recognition in 2007. Pochampally Ikat was among the earliest to secure the tag during 2004 and 2005.
Officials say the buses will operate on routes connecting Hyderabad with Pochampally, Hanumakonda, Narayanpet, Karimnagar and Nirmal, ensuring that the art travels along with passengers. The idea is to turn public transport into a moving platform that tells the story of Telangana’s craftsmanship.
Beyond aesthetics, the government hopes the GI on Wheels campaign will draw tourists, create wider awareness about indigenous art and provide a morale boost to local artisans. By taking these crafts onto the roads, Telangana RTC is turning everyday travel into a celebration of culture and heritage.
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