TTD to Frame Policy for Ghat Road Traffic in Tirumala
As part of the plan, he directed officials to identify a dedicated parking area to introduce a regulated prepaid taxi facility in Tirumala, with clearly defined minimum and maximum fare slabs to prevent exploitation of pilgrims.
Tirupati: In response to the steady increase in vehicular traffic to the hill shrine, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is formulating a comprehensive policy on vehicle movement and traffic management along the Tirumala ghat road.
TTD additional executive officer (EO) Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, who chaired a high-level review meeting at Gokulam Rest House in Tirumala on Wednesday, instructed the departments concerned to prepare a detailed and concrete policy document. The focus will be on streamlining vehicle flow, reducing environmental pollution and enhancing pilgrim convenience.
Addressing officials from the Transport, Forest, Vigilance and Road Transport Authority (RTA) departments, the additional EO stressed the need for an integrated plan that includes an electric vehicle (EV) policy, strengthening of public transport, strict enforcement of traffic rules, and awareness programmes for private jeep drivers operating on the ghat roads
“The increasing number of outdated vehicles is becoming a concern for Tirumala’s fragile ecosystem. We need to move towards cleaner and more efficient modes of transport while ensuring smooth traffic flow for devotees,” Venkaiah Chowdary underlined.
As part of the plan, he directed officials to identify a dedicated parking area to introduce a regulated prepaid taxi facility in Tirumala, with clearly defined minimum and maximum fare slabs to prevent exploitation of pilgrims.
Those present at the meeting included TTD Transport general manager Sesha Reddy, Forests’ deputy conservator Phani Kumar Naidu, Vigilance and Security officers N.T.V. Ramkumar and A. Surendra, and district transport officer K. Murali Mohan.