Chandrababu Launches 32 Free Electric Buses at Tirumala

Tirumala has added a new public transport facility for devotees with the launch of 32 free electric buses. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the services on Wednesday, coinciding with the ongoing Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavam.

The new buses are expected to make movement around the hill shrine easier, particularly at a time when Tirumala is receiving large numbers of devotees. The service will connect important areas used by pilgrims, including accommodation facilities, queue complexes and routes around the temple.

Of the 32 buses, 25 have been donated by Reliance Industries, while another seven were provided by a biotech company to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The initiative is aimed at increasing the use of cleaner vehicles on the hill and reducing dependence on conventional buses.

Reliance has also supported the charging infrastructure needed for the electric fleet. Through Jio BP, the company has helped establish electric vehicle charging stations and related facilities at Tirumala. This infrastructure is expected to support the regular operation of the newly introduced buses.

The electric bus initiative also fulfils a commitment made by Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani during his visit to Tirumala in June. During the visit, he had assured the TTD that Reliance Foundation would provide 25 electric buses as part of efforts to reduce pollution on the hill.

Those buses have now been handed over and brought into service for devotees. The remaining seven buses from the biotech company have expanded the fleet further, taking the total number of free electric buses to 32.

The timing of the launch is significant because Tirumala is currently witnessing heavy pilgrim movement for the annual Brahmotsavam. Thousands of devotees travel between accommodation areas, darshan queues and other locations across the hill every day. Free bus services can help reduce the need for private vehicles and make short distance travel more convenient.

The move also fits into the wider effort to promote environmentally friendly transport at the famous pilgrimage centre. Electric buses produce no tailpipe emissions while operating, which can help reduce local air pollution and noise compared with conventional diesel buses.

For devotees, the biggest immediate benefit is expected to be easier movement without an additional transport cost. The buses will be particularly useful for pilgrims staying in different parts of Tirumala who need to reach queue complexes and other important points.

TTD officials are expected to operate the buses according to the movement of devotees and transport requirements during the festival period. With the Brahmotsavam drawing large crowds, the additional fleet comes at a time when reliable local transport is especially important.

The introduction of the 32 buses marks another step towards cleaner mobility on Tirumala. Along with the vehicles, the charging facilities created for the fleet provide supporting infrastructure for expanding electric transport in the future.

For the TTD, the initiative combines two immediate priorities, managing the heavy movement of pilgrims and reducing the environmental impact of transport on the hill. The free service is now available to devotees as the Brahmotsavam celebrations continue.