TTD launches eco-friendly buses on Tirumala hills donated by MEIL, Hyderabad
TIRUMALA: Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams Chairman YV Subba Reddy on Monday (March 27, 2023) formally flagged off 10 eco-friendly buses in Tirumala along with the TTD EO AV Dharma Reddy, JEO Veerabrahmam and others.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) Hyderabad has come forward to donate 10 electric buses to TTD to operate as free buses for the internal conveyance of pilgrims in Tirumala. The cost of each e-bus is Rs 1.80 Cr (A total of 10 buses cost Rs.18.00 Cr).
He said 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 resolved to replace diesel vehicles with e-vehicles in a phased manner. In 1st phase, 35 e-cars (TATA Nexon) are introduced in Tirumala for the official use of TTD officers, procured from M/s CESL, JV company of PSUs under Ministry of Power, GOI on a dry lease basis(without driver).
Later upon the request of TTD, APSRTC also now operates 64 e-buses on Tirumala-Tirupati ghat roads. TTD will establish charging stations at its workshop, Tirumala and the same will be completed by April 15 M/s 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 and free from pollution”, he asserted.
After performing pujas to the fleet of e-buses, the officials were taken for a drive. CE Nageswara Rao, SE-2 Jagadeeshwar Reddy, GM Transport Sesha Reddy, HO Dr Sridevi, DyEO Harindranath, VGO Bali Reddy and other officials were present.
