Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) received an electric vehicle (EV) bus as a donation from Chennai-based Vara Future LLP on Saturday, marking a step in the nationwide transition prompted by the West Asia energy crisis.
Donation Handover
Vardhaman Jain, chairman of Vara Future LLP, handed over the brand new EV bus to TTD Additional Executive Officer (EO) Ch Venkaiah Chowdary in front of the Tirumala temple on Saturday.
TTD's Electric Mobility Plans
Speaking to reporters, Venkaiah Chowdary outlined the Tirupati trust's plans to fully transition to EV mobility within the next few years, eliminating dependence on conventional fuel for transportation.
“Currently, TTD operates around 12 EV buses called Dharma Radhams, providing free transport for devotees across the Tirumala hill town. We are likely to add four more EV buses to our fleet to enhance operational efficiencies. Additionally, the APSRTC-Tirupati region is being encouraged to purchase and operate nearly 100 EV buses to ferry devotees along the twin ghat roads linking Tirumala and Tirupati,” the TTD additional EO asserted.
Leading by Example
“Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to lead by example, vehicles of all department heads at TTD are being transitioned to EV mobility. We have already purchased and operationalized 36 EV cars,” Venkaiah Chowdary added.
Cost Savings
Currently, TTD has a fleet of over 300 cars, buses, trucks, mini pick-up trucks, and other vehicles running on conventional fuel, costing the trust approximately ₹10 crore annually. By partially switching to electric mobility, TTD has achieved energy savings of about ₹4 crore per year.
