‘To protect sanctity & serenity of Tirumala’: TTD launches 10 e-buses

Tirumala: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) on Monday launched 10 Olectra electric buses in Tirumala. The buses were launched by TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, along with the TTD EO A.V. Dharma Reddy and JEO Veerabrahmam.

Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd., Hyderabad donated the 10 electric buses to TTD to operate as free buses for pilgrims in Tirumala. This will also help to reduce carbon emission on the hill shrine.

The cost of each e-bus is Rs. 1.80 crores, taking the total of the 10 buses to Rs. 18 crores.

“The motto is to protect the sanctity and serenity of Tirumala hills by reducing vehicular pollution. The TTD board, a couple of years ago, had decided to replace diesel vehicles with e-vehicles in a phased manner. In the first phase, 35 e-cars (TATA Nexon) are introduced in Tirumala for the official use of TTD officers. It was procured from CESL, JV company under the ministry of power, GOI on a dry lease basis (without driver),” said Mr. Subba Reddy.

Later, upon the request of TTD, APSRTC started operating 64 e-buses in Tirumala-Tirupati ghat roads. TTD will establish charging stations at Tirumala by 15 April. Olectra will provide training to the TTD drivers to operate the e-buses.

“We are contemplating replacing the existing taxis with e-vehicles and soon, Tirumala will be made environment-friendly, free from pollution,” Mr. Subba Reddy said.

Summer arrangements:

Tirumala is set to witness peak summer vacation rush from 15 April to 15 July. In view of this, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is contemplating reducing VIP break, SRIVANI, tourism quota, virtual sevas, and Rs. 300 darshan tickets while giving high priority to ordinary devotees.

TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy said, “The VIPs are requested to reduce referral letters during these three peak months so that the common devotees get a chance to have a quick darshan without having to wait for a long time.” Divya Darshan will resume on a trial-basis at Alipiri and Srivarimettu footpath routes from 1 April for a week.

There are more than 7,500 rooms in Tirumala that could accommodate nearly 40,000 pilgrims, out of which about 85% of the rooms have been reserved for common devotees. Recently-introduced face recognition technology has increased transparency in allotment of rooms, enabling more devotees to easily get accommodation.

Other arrangements

· Annaprasadam will be served at Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam Complex, PAC 2, 4, Vaikuntham compartments, queue lines, food courts in Tirumala

· Kalyanakattas work round the clock.

.All major points will be setup with drinking water points.

· Buffer stock of laddus will be kept ready.

· Senior officers will be drafted for supervisory works to ensure smooth conduct of darshan to the visiting devotees during the peak summer season.