Fare hike burdens pilgrims
RTC runs ordinary buses to ghats but charges fare of AC travel
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-07-17 07:20 GMT
Khammam: Locals of Khammam district are complaining about the unreasonable fares charged by RTC for taking them to Bhadrachalam. They say that they are being charged on par with Indra, air-conditioned bus services run by the RTC, even while travelling in ordinary and Pallevelugu buses, which are being touted as special services.
Many of the regular bus services to Bhadrachalam from towns like Khammam, Sattupalli, Madhira, Aswaraopet and Kotha-gudem have been cancelled and they are being plied from Hyderabad to the holy town.
K. Mallaiah, a teacher in Khammam, said the hike in the RTC fare was exorbitant. “The RTC is charging '150 per head from Khammam to Bhadrachalam which means it is 50 per cent hike,” he said, adding that Indra bus services from Khammam to Bhadrachalam were being charged '160. These special services are no better than ordinary services in terms of speed and stoppages.
Meanwhile, Kanchi Kamakoti seer Jayendra Saraswathi left Bhadrachalam in the wee hours of Thursday. Jayendra Saraswati, who came here on Wednesday, performed special puja in the temple. He went to Vijayawada on helicopter and state cultural advisor K.V. Ramachary supervised the arrangements made for him.
Viswa Hindu Parishad president Praveen Togadia conducted Harathi at Kondaigudem Pushkar ghat under Manugur mandal and reached Bhadrachalam. Heavy security was provided to Mr Togadia, who was received by VHP activists at the temple town. He offered prayers at the temple.