Date:13/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/13/stories/2007071360531100.htm

Andhra Pradesh

RTC launches Tirumala-Coimbatore service for benefit of devotees

Staff Reporter

Sports and cultural meet to be held from August 16 to 18

Facility for pilgrims: APSRTC’s Executive Director (Administration) I. Prabhakar Reddy alights from the Tirumala-Coimbatore service at the Central Bus Station complex in Tirupati on Thursday.

TIRUPATI: Devotees from Coimbatore can now visit Tirumala directly with APSRTC launching its maiden service to the financial capital of Tamil Nadu. After Chennai, a large number of devotees to Tirumala are from this belt.

The RTC Executive Director (Administration) I. Prabhakar Reddy flagged off the two services operated from Tirumala to Coimbatore at a brief function here on Thursday. The distance of 560 km would be covered in 13 hours. It would pass via Chittoor, Vellore, Tirupattur, Salem and Erode before reaching Coimbatore.

The bus would start at Tirumala at 4.45 p.m. everyday to reach Coimbatore at 6 a.m. the next day. It would again start at 6 p.m. at Coimbatore to reach Tirumala by 7 a.m. Mr. Prabhakar Reddy also inaugurated a service to Kanchi.

Mr. Reddy, who is also the chairman of Sports and Cultural Organisation (ARTSCO), announced the decision to conduct the 32nd State-level meet in Tirupati from August 16 to 18.

Some 400 employees would take part in the competitions to be conducted in light music, classical music, classical/folk dance, drama, vocal, instrumental, magic, mimicry etc. Transport Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana would inaugurate the meet, in which TTD Chairman B.Karunakar Reddy and Executive Officer K.V. Ramanachary would also take part, he said. Mr. Reddy later reviewed the arrangements being made for the annual fare.