Amritsar, NFA Post: Pilgrims visiting Tirumala Hills will soon be using electric buses to travel from Tirupati to the famous temple of Lord Venkateswara.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation is set to introduce electric buses soon. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that manages the hill shrine has taken a decision to bring in electric buses in place of those operated by diesel, to maintain the holy hills as a ‘zero carbon emission zone’, TTD Board Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy said.
According to Reddy Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy too reacted in favour to the request made by TTD for the introduction of electric buses on the hills.
Initially, the APSRTC would press about 100 to 150 buses into service, Reddy said.
Apart from this, the TTD Board also resolved that, after a gap of several decades, gold gilding will be spread over the Maha Dwarams (the huge doors at the main entrance), sacred Balipeetam (Altar) and Dwajasthambham (holy flag mast) at the hill shrine.
The board has also decided to keep open the holy ‘Vaikunta Dwarams’ for ten days from the auspicious Vaikunta Ekadasi day instead of normal two days, Reddy said.
TTD is also planning to reintroduce the free mass marriages scheme meant for the poor, Reddy added.
