The steady patronage of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu visiting the famous temples of Tirumala and Srikalahastsi through the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) during the last two years has prompted the officials of the corporation to initiate public-private mode to tap the tourism potential.
At present, the corporation is operating four buses from Chennai, three from Coimbatore, and one each from Madurai and Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu every day, netting a monthly profit of Rs. 55 lakh.
Chittoor District Tourism Officer D.V. Chandramouli Reddy told The Hindu that all the buses of the corporation running from these places in Tamil Nadu had been registering cent percent occupancy since February, and the status would be maintained till July. To cater to the increasing numbers, more number of buses would be operated by involving private operators, and offering them lucrative commission. “There is potential to operate 20 more buses, and the project will take off in the coming weeks,” the official said.
All the AP Tourism operated buses from Tamil Nadu reach Tirupati in the early hours daily. The pilgrims are provided with twin-sharing accommodation in select hotels, along with breakfast and lunch. The pilgrims will be arranged the special entrance darshan (through Rs. 300 ticket) at 10 a.m. in Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, and later the entourage will cover the temple of Lord Vayulingeswara at Srikalahasti, in addition to Sri Kalyana Venkateswara temple and Goddess Padmavathi temple at the outskirts of Tirupati, before setting off on the return journey.
There is potential to operate 20 more buses, and the project will take off in the coming weeks
D.V. Chandramouli Reddy
Chittoor District Tourism Officer
