TGTDC incurs Rs 7 crore losses after Tirumala darshan facility withdrawn

Hyderabad: The Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) has incurred losses of over Rs 6–7 crore from operating tourism buses to Tirupati, as demand declined after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams withdrew the darshan facility.

The corporation used to operate around 30 buses to Tirumala–Tirupati. Demand was so high that nearly 200 tickets were sold out despite the fare being Rs 3,800 per ticket for a three-day journey.

The package included transportation to Tirumala, accommodation, facilitation of darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, and return travel. The corporation used to generate revenue of Rs 40–50 lakh per month.

However, after a decision of the TTD Board to remove the darshan facility for the tourism department, the patronage has come down and presently only 10 buses are being operated and remaining 20 were kept idle leading to huge losses. It has been more than a year since the TTD had stopped the darshan facility and since then the devotees have also stopped travelling in these tourism buses. The issuance of darshan tickets was cancelled by TTD citing concerns that the tickets were being diverted or misused.

Due to the negligence of the authorities, these buses were not utilised in other directions. Sources said that the corporation was finding it difficult to maintain the buses and also to pay the salaries to the staff dependent on these buses. Instead of utilising the buses in other routes, the TGTDC officials were merely waiting for approval from the TTD for giving the darshan tickets.

It may be recalled that the issue came up during a recent review meeting when the Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao asked why there were losses in these buses. Officials informed him that income had declined after the Government of Andhra Pradesh discontinued tourism packages for pilgrims visiting the Tirumala Temple.

Expressing displeasure, Krishna Rao said buses purchased at considerable cost should not remain idle and asked officials to explore special packages and alternative routes to improve revenue.

Despite having numerous tourist destinations and prominent temples within the state, the lack of bus services to these locations, coupled with a complete absence of promotional efforts, has raised questions about the failure to attract tourists and devotees.