Chennai, August 6, 2013: The protests against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh have affected the travel plans of Tirupati-bound Chennaiites. With State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses cancelled, pilgrims are looking to other ways of getting to the hill shrine.

According to sources, over 3,000 persons go to Tirupati from the city every day. Most of them travel by bus and some, by train. Ever since the Telangana protests began, many buses have been cancelled to avoid inconvenience to travellers. On Sunday, a board outside the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation in Chennai Moffusil Bus Terminus (CMBT) said that buses to Ananthapur, Cuddapah, Kurnool and Tirupati had been cancelled.

Sources said that nearly 40 buses to the temple town were cancelled. Meanwhile, southern railway sources said that there has not been a major increase in passenger traffic to Tirupati. “There are three trains to the pilgrim centre every day,” said the official.

Source: The Hindu, August 6, 2013