Dasara rush

The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS), Jubilee Bus Station and Secunderabad Railway Station were filled with passengers heading towards Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari and other districts for the Dasara festival.

Apart from special trains and buses pressed into service by the South Central Railway (SCR) and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), Alliance Air, subsidiary of Air India added two additional flights to Vijayawada for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ravi KK, software professional said, “Two brothers and my family usually travel by a tourist bus but with the border tax being imposed we are forced to travel by an RTC bus.” The SCR has introduced over 100 special trains thereby providing additional 50,000 berths.

A senior official of railways said that more trains may be added depending on the demand in the coming days. The APSRTC too has pressed 940 buses during the week for the festive rush. Deputy Chief Traffic Manager Venkataramam said, “The maximum number of special buses is for Vijayawada and Kurnool.”

Alliance Air flight is operating an ATR-72-600 aircraft that leaves Hyderabad at 2pm to reach Vijayawada at 3pm. The return Flight from Vijayawada will leave at 3.30pm to reach Hyderabad at 4.30pm. Private bus operators too are raking in the moolah and increased the price. An AC bus ticket to Vijayawada is priced between Rs 1500- Rs 2,500 depending on the demand.”

Alliance Air, subsidiary of Air India, is operating two additional flights to Vijayawada on October 20 and 21

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) pressed into service 940 buses with a maximum number of 295 to Vijayawada and 195 to Kurnool

The South Central Railway (SCR) is running 100 special trains towards Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and beyond

By T P Venu