Hyderabad: To ensure smooth transportation for devotees during Maha Shivaratri, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has announced the operation of 3,000 special buses to 43 Shaiva pilgrimage sites across the state. These services will be available from February 24 to 28, with the festival falling on February 26.
Key allocations include 800 buses to Srisailam, 714 to Vemulawada, 444 to Yadadri, 270 to Keesaragutta, 171 to Vemala, 80 to Kaleshwaram, and 51 to Komuravelli. Additional buses will also operate to Alampur, Umamaheshwaram, Palakurthy, Ramappa, and other temples. In Hyderabad, special buses to Srisailam will be available from MGBS, JBS, CBS, IS Sadan, KPHB, and BHEL. TSRTC will also set up shelters, seating arrangements, drinking water facilities, and public address systems at key locations.
As per a government order, ticket fares on these special buses will be revised by up to 50%, applicable only from February 24 to 27. However, regular service fares remain unchanged. For Yadadri-bound special buses, revised fares will be in effect from February 26 to 28. Display boards will be placed on all special buses for easy identification.
Under the ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme, women can travel for free on Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary, and Metro Express buses. TSRTC has urged women passengers to obtain zero-fare tickets while travelling.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar recently reviewed Maha Shivaratri arrangements with TSRTC officials, instructing them to ensure hassle-free travel for devotees. TSRTC MD V.C. Sajjanar, IPS, stated that 809 more buses will be deployed this year compared to last year. He assured that additional buses will be arranged based on passenger demand and urged devotees to utilise the special services for a safe pilgrimage.
For advance bookings on Hyderabad-Srisailam and Hyderabad-Vemulawada routes, passengers can visit [www.tgsrtcbus.in](http://www.tgsrtcbus.in). For more details, TSRTC helplines 040-69440000 and 040-23450033 are available. (INN)