Both Telangana Tourism and TGSRTC are optimistic about resolving the issue. TGSRTC Vice Chairman and MD VC Sajjanar, IPS, has written to the TTD board, advocating for the restoration of the darshan facility

Mahesh Avadhutha | Hyderabad 

The recent cancellation of the Tirumala Lord Balaji darshan facility by the new TTD board has left Telangana Tourism and TGSRTC (Telangana State Road Transport Corporation) feeling piqued.   Telangana Tourism officials, including Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, TGTDC Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, TGTDC Managing Director N Prakash Reddy (IPS), are actively pursuing the revival of this quota.

Patel Ramesh Reddy stated that the Telangana Tourism department has written letters to both TTD Chairman as well as EO, emphasizing the convenience and popularity of the packages and the need to revive them.

Telangana Tourism, in particular, had a daily allocation of 300 darshan tickets, including 15–20 for flight packages and the rest for bus travel-cum-darshan packages. This facility was especially popular because it allowed devotees to secure darshan tickets just 7–10 days in advance—a significant relief compared to the TTD's official website, where tickets are often sold out in a matter of minutes not even an hour, months ahead of the desired date.

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) also relied on the TTD darshan ticket quota to serve passengers traveling from Hyderabad to Tirupati. Initially allocated 1,000 tickets every day, this quota was reduced to 400 per day in mid-2024 after TTD introduced direct ticketing at Srivari Mettu. Despite the downsizing, the service remained a favourite among RTC passengers cum devotees.

Passengers could easily book a darshan ticket alongside their bus ticket through the TGSRTC website, making the journey convenient and efficient. However, the sudden cancellation of the darshan facility in November, after the new TTD Board took over, has left passengers disheartened. TGSRTC still receives numerous requests and enquiries from the passenger about the RTC-Tirumala package.

With over 24 buses operating daily to Tirumala, the darshan package was a crucial aspect of their travel plans, particularly for those unable to book months in advance. “The revival of these darshan packages is not just a logistical necessity but a matter of upholding the spiritual sentiment of devotees across Telangana and beyond,” said an official.  

TGTDC MD Patel Ramesh Reddy said that they are hopeful of a positive response from the TTD. Recently TTD decided to accept recommendation letters from Telangana elected representatives (two per week for VIP darshan and Special Entry Darshan) and the Tourism and RTC wings are pinning hopes on TTD to look into their issue as well.