RTC to ferry 12 lakh pilgrims

Tirupati: APSRTC has made special arrangements for ferrying additional number of pilgrims in between Tirupati and Tirumala during the annual Brahmotsavams. Speaking to media here on Tuesday on the operation of special buses for Brahmotsavams, regional manager T Chengal Reddy said that the region inducted 130 new Ashok Leyland buses with Bharath-4 pollution standards engine, at a cost of Rs 29 crore to meet demand for Brahmotsavams.

Additional interstate bus services from various cities in Tamil Nadu and also from Bengaluru to Tirumala would be operated. In all, the RTC is prepared to ferry about 12 lakh pilgrims up and down during the nine-day fete, he said.

The number of buses operating in ghat road would be increased to 567 as against 411 now, the regional manager said adding that on Garuda Seva day and next day 3,580 trips up and down would be operated to ferry 3.58 lakh pilgrims while on the other days of Brahmotsavams 2,640 trips to ferry 2.64 lakh pilgrims daily (up and down) would be operated.

He said senior drivers and traffic inspectors would be deployed at all vulnerable points on the ghat roads to guide the bus drivers to ensure safety and accident-free operation of bus services.  As many as 660 RTC personnel, including 50 officials, 200 drivers, 200 conductors, 160 security and 50 driver trainers were requisitioned from outside for operation of Brhamotsavams special services, he said and added that the special buses would be operated from 11 places in Tirupati and three in Tirumala.

To avoid congestion in the pilgrim city Tirupati, Annamaiah City terminal has been set up near Annamaiah circle here for the buses operating between Tirupati and Bengaluru and pick up points also were set up for Tirumala buses in and around Tirupati city to avoid traffic jams during the fete.

On Garuda Seva day, Tirumala buses will be terminated at Alipiri itself from 8 pm on September 17 and the RTC will operate free bus services from Alipiri to various places in the city like railway station, central bus station, TTD pilgrim amenities complexes, etc., for the convenience of pilgrims and locals participating in Garuda Seva.  Additional arrangements are in place for drinking water, toilets and cleaning at all bus stations, the regional manager said.