Hyderabad: Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar inaugurated a temporary RTC bus station at Medaram on Saturday, enhancing travel arrangements for the 2026 Sammakka–Saralamma Jathara.
4,000 RTC buses, new depots to strengthen festival logistics
To manage the large influx of devotees, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) deployed 4,000 buses. These special services began on January 20 and will continue until February 1. Officials confirmed that additional buses will join the fleet if required.
Hundreds of officers and staff are actively managing transport operations. Authorities encouraged devotees to use RTC buses for safer and more direct access to the Gaddelu. To safeguard children, they also implemented a Child Tracking System, aiming to prevent missing child incidents during the festival.
BC Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) highlighted long-term goals. She announced that the Revanth Reddy-led government had sanctioned ₹5 crore for a permanent RTC depot in Mulugu and ₹7 crore for another in Eturunagaram. Additionally, mini bus stations will soon come up in Mangapet, Mulugu, and other mandals.
All infrastructure, including sheds, queue lines, and public facilities, is being developed under a comprehensive master plan. Officials emphasized that the transport system reflects a people-focused initiative designed to provide safe, reliable, and dignified travel for lakhs of pilgrims.