Medaram Jatara: TGSRTC deploys 4,000 special buses across Telangana

To manage the rush of devotees during the Medaram Jatara, TGSRTC has deployed nearly 4,000 special buses across Telangana, including 400 from Hyderabad. Around 20 lakh pilgrims are expected to travel using RTC services during the festival.

Hyderabad: To facilitate the movement of devotees to the Medaram Jatara, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) has introduced large-scale special bus operations from Hyderabad and other parts of the State.

TGSRTC Zonal Executive Director M Rajashekhar said that 400 special buses are being operated from Hyderabad alone between January 26 and January 31.

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The services are available from major city points, including Uppal, Jaggadgirigutta, JBS and MGBS, with buses running directly up to the Medaram Gaddelu.

Across Telangana, special services are being operated from 51 bus stations, with nearly 4,000 buses across the State being deployed for the biennial tribal festival. Transport officials have assured that additional buses would be arranged if passenger demand increases.

Officials said traffic-generating centres in the erstwhile districts of Warangal, Karimnagar, Adilabad and Khammam, along with Hyderabad, have been identified to ensure smooth connectivity to Medaram.

The special bus services commenced on January 25 and will continue till February 1, covering the Jatara period scheduled from January 28 to January 31.

TGSRTC authorities expect a significant rise in pilgrim turnout this year, especially due to the Mahalakshmi scheme that allows free travel for women. Around 20 lakh devotees are estimated to travel by RTC buses during the festival.

To ensure uninterrupted services, more than 10,400 staff members, including drivers, conductors, supervisory officers and security personnel, have been deployed round the clock.

Meanwhile, a dedicated command and control centre with CCTV surveillance has been set up at Medaram, along with medical camps, drinking water arrangements and coordination with police and district administrations for smooth and safe transport operations.