Tirumala, Sep 18th: Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has launched 20 new ghat road buses at Tirumala in view of Srivari Brahmotsavams beginning September 21. APSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director V Dinesh Reddy launched 20 new ghat road buses at Tirumala on Thursday evening. Mr Reddy said the Corporation had initially introduced 40 modern ghat road buses and 30 more would arrive in the temple town before commencement of the nine-day Srivari Brahmotsavams festival. APSRTC is planning to introduce air-conditioned ghat road buses shortly.

Mr Reddy said, ''We would take steps to operate one bus per one minute for the convenience of the pilgrims besides increasing number of bus stops at various important places.'' On the Garuda Seva day, the main event of the nine-day festival, three buses would operate at one minute frequency. Last year, the Corporation transported about 11 lakh pilgrims during the Brahmotsavams and this year, the APSRTC authorities are hoping to transport 12.5 lakh pilgrims between Tirumala and Tirupati ghat road. 50 more city service buses purchased under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) would be added to the Tirupati region shortly.