TTD to decide after experts' report

Tirupati: The TTD will take a decision after receiving the report from the expert committee headed by `Metro Man' NVS Reddy and consulting global consultants on new mass transport system for Tirumala, TTD chairman Y V Subba Reddy has said.

Speaking to the media here on Sunday, Reddy said that on the invitation of TTD, NVS Reddy along with his team of experts was recently at Tirumala for three days to study the new mass transport systems like MetroLite, Mono-rail and Tram system feasible for Tirumala. The TTD is yet to receive the report from the experts' team.

After receiving the report, the TTD would also consult international consultants on mass transport systems and also Agama Pundits, Reddy said adding that the TTD will take a final decision on the new mass transport system after a discussion with Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

In the wake of growing emissions due to ever increasing motor vehicles ferrying heavy rush of pilgrims between Tirumala and Tirupati causing pollution and affecting environment, it became rather imperative for TTD to go in for eco-friendly mass transport system, Reddy said while explaining the reason behind the TTD exploring new transport system to cope with the increasing pilgrims to Tirumala.

Making it clear that the TTD will confine to the existing four ways that is the up and down ghat road and the two pedestrian paths to Tirumala, Reddy said that the new transport system will be along with these routes and there is no question of going in for new ones, keeping in view the sentiments attached to the holy Tirumala hills.

In this connection, Reddy reminded that the TTD long back ruled out the new transport systems like cable car as it involves laying of cables on the hills or digging tunnels which are not acceptable because of the strong beliefs that the holy hills is holy as divine creatures frequent the sacred hills.

"First the TTD thought of mono-rail and later the electric buses which is still under consideration, but it (electric bus) involves huge cost,'' he said asserting that the TTD will be in a position to decide on the new system only after NVS Reddy submit the report.

Answering a question on the report by a private consultant which at the request of TUDA submitted a proposal on metro rail system costing about Rs 9,000 crore, Reddy said that the TTD is not a position to bear such huge cost while reiterating that TTD will decide on the new transport system only after the report and in consultation with Agama Pundits.

It may be noted here that the RTC is remaining the major public transporter for the pilgrims visiting Tirumala while private transport like taxis also plying between Tirupati and Tirumala and a sizable number of pilgrims were using their own vehicles.