TTD Releases Booking Schedule for August

Nellore: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced the online booking schedule for August 2026 Arjita Sevas, darshan quotas and accommodation at Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala.

TTD officials said bookings for Srivari Arjita Sevas, including Suprabhatam, Thomala and Archana, will open on May 18 at 10 am. Electronic Dip System registration will continue till 10 am on May 20, while payment for allotted tickets can be made between May 20 and May 22 noon.

Tickets for Kalyanotsavam, Unjal Seva, Arjita Brahmotsavam, Sahasra Deepalankara Seva and Pavitrotsavams will be released on May 21 at 10 am. Virtual Seva tickets and darshan slots will open at 3 pm the same day.

Angapradakshinam tokens, Srivani Trust tickets and special darshan quotas for senior citizens, differently-abled persons and chronically ill devotees will be released on May 23.

Special Entry Darshan tickets and accommodation bookings for Tirumala and Tirupati will open on May 25.

Devotees were advised to book only through the official TTD website.

Minor Girl Dies By Suicide Fearing Forced Marriage

ANANTAPUR: A 17-year-old Intermediate student allegedly died by suicide in Marthadu village in Garladinne mandal of Anantapur district after reportedly fearing that her parents might arrange her marriage and discontinue her education.

According to police, the girl had recently completed her first year of Intermediate at a private college and was staying at home for the summer vacation. Her parents had reportedly discussed among themselves the possibility of arranging her marriage if a suitable alliance came forward. The family was also considering discontinuing her further education.

However, the girl is said to have strongly opposed the idea and expressed her desire to continue her studies.

Though family members reportedly discussed the issue casually, The teenager allegedly became distressed, fearing that she might be forced into marriage. Unable to cope with the anxiety, she allegedly tried to die by suicide on May 6. Family members immediately shifted her to hospital for treatment. However, her condition deteriorated and she died while undergoing treatment on Friday night, sources said.

Garladinne police registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over lack of awareness regarding child marriage and girls’ education in rural areas.

7 Injured After Private Bus Plunges Into Fields

KURNOOL: Seven passengers were injured after a private travels bus veered off the national highway and plunged into adjacent fields near Sambavaram Metta, close to Gospadu mandal in Nandyal district, in the early hours of Saturday.

According to police, the bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Arunachalam with 36 passengers on board when the accident occurred.

Police personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information and shifted the injured passengers to Nandyal Government Hospital for treatment.

Gospadu police registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

5 Passengers Injured as RTC Bus Overturns

Vijayawada: Five passengers suffered minor injuries after an APSRTC bus overturned near Chinna Geddada in Rampachodavaram mandal of Polavaram district on Saturday.

Police said the bus, carrying around 40 passengers from Bhadrachalam to Kakinada, overturned after the driver allegedly lost control while trying to avoid an autorickshaw coming from the opposite direction.

The bus reportedly mounted an elevated stretch of the road before overturning. The injured passengers were shifted to the government hospital at Rampachodavaram for treatment.

RTC officials later arranged another bus for the stranded passengers to continue their journey.

Police registered a case and launched an investigation.

Complete Drain Works in Four Days: Guntur Civic Chief

VIJAYAWADA: Guntur Municipal Corporation commissioner K. Mayur Ashok has set a four-day deadline for completion of the Lakshmipuram Main Road major drain works and warned officials and contractors against further delays.

During an inspection of Lakshmipuram and Brindavan Gardens on Saturday, the commissioner expressed displeasure over the slow pace of the works, which have reportedly remained pending for nearly two months.

He directed the superintending engineer to issue notices to the contractor handling the drain project and initiate action for negligence. Pending works related to the electricity department connected to the drain construction were ordered to be completed by Monday.

Mayur Ashok also instructed amenities secretaries to remain present at work sites during execution of the projects and warned of departmental action against officials failing to comply.

Reviewing the Brindavan Gardens Main Road widening works, the commissioner sought details of property owners who had given consent for road expansion and those involved in court disputes. He directed officials to identify dispute-free stretches to immediately begin drain construction.

Noting that demand drafts had already been issued for shifting transformers obstructing the road widening works, he instructed electricity department officials to complete the relocation within two days.

The commissioner warned officials against negligence and directed them to ensure speedy completion of the works to avoid inconvenience to the public.

Several officials from the engineering, electricity, town planning and public health departments participated in the inspection.