APSRTC To Run Special Buses For Maha Sivarathri, Pakala Beach Festival From Nellore, Prakasam

Nellore: The State Road Transport Corporation on Friday announced special bus services across Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts for the Maha Sivarathri, and additional services for the Pakala Beach Festival.

In Prakasam and Markapuram districts, special buses will be operated on February 14 and 15 from seven depots to major Saivite shrines, including Srisailam (140 buses), Kotappakonda (78), Mogilicherla (25), Bhairavakona (23), Tripurantakam (12), Ramateertham (8), Sangameswaram (5) and Punugodu (2).

The services will run at last year’s fares.

Direct buses have been introduced from Kanigiri and Giddalur to Srisailam, Podili and Darsi to Kotappakonda, and Podili and Kanigiri to Tripurantakam. More than 50 additional buses have been planned, compared to the fleet last year, keeping in view the anticipated rush and implementation of the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme.

For the Pakala beach festival, 12 special buses would be operated from Kandukur (4), Kanigiri (2), Podili (2), Addanki (2) and Ongole (2), with more services to be added based on demand.

In Nellore district, APSRTC would operate special services from February 14 to 16 to temples including Jonnawada, Penchalakona and Sangam. Around 60 special buses would run within the district, along with about 30 additional connecting services. The Kandukur depot would operate 25 buses to Penchalakona and Jonnawada, while Nellore-1 and Nellore-2 depots would run six services each. The Atmakur depot would operate 20 buses to Penchalakona and the nearby shrines.

Officials said all buses have undergone advance inspections. Supervisory staff has also been deployed to ensure smooth operations. Devotees have been urged to make use of APSRTC’s special services for safe and convenient travel during the festival.