- Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu flags off electric buses and charging station gifted by Reliance Foundation to TTD
- Green fleet arrives ahead of two Srivari Brahmotsavams expected to draw a large pilgrim footfall to the hill shrine
- Initiative fulfils Anant Ambani’s June commitment and combines Reliance Foundation’s philanthropic support with Jio-bp’s EV expertise
- Clean transport push seeks to reduce dependence on conventional fuel vehicles while supporting Tirumala’s environmental stewardship
NE SPIRITUAL BUREAU
TIRUMALA, SEPT 16
When millions climb the sacred Tirumala hills seeking the blessings of Lord Venkateswara, the journey itself is now acquiring a greener dimension. In a significant step towards sustainable pilgrimage, 25 electric buses and a dedicated EV charging station have been placed in the service of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), bringing clean mobility closer to one of India’s most visited pilgrimage destinations.
The electric buses, donated by Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, were formally flagged off by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Tirumala.
The contribution comes at a particularly significant juncture, ahead of the two Srivari Brahmotsavams, major temple festivals expected to attract a large number of pilgrims to the hill shrine.
The initiative strengthens TTD’s ongoing efforts to provide cleaner and more sustainable transportation for devotees while reducing dependence on conventional fuel-powered vehicles in the environmentally sensitive Tirumala region.
A promise made in June takes the green route
The handover fulfils a commitment made by Anant Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited, during his visit to Tirumala in June 2026, when he pledged 25 electric buses to TTD in support of its environmentally sustainable transportation efforts.
Reliance Foundation and TTD have jointly worked towards developing the charging facilities and supporting infrastructure required for deployment of the electric fleet.
The initiative is the outcome of collaboration between Reliance Foundation and Jio-bp. While Reliance Foundation provided philanthropic support, Jio-bp brought its expertise in electric mobility and EV charging infrastructure.
Anant Ambani: supporting the pilgrimage, protecting biodiversity
Speaking about the initiative, Anant Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited, said: “Millions of devotees visit the sacred hills of Tirumala each year for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara. Supporting their journey is both a privilege and a responsibility.”
“These 25 electric buses are our humble contribution to TTD’s efforts to make the pilgrimage to Tirumala more comfortable while helping safeguard the region’s rich biodiversity,” he added.
The statement places the initiative at the intersection of devotee convenience and environmental responsibility, particularly relevant for Tirumala, where managing mobility and the ecological footprint of a massive annual pilgrim movement remains an important consideration.
From pilgrimage mobility to a wider sustainability mission
The addition of the 25 electric buses expands TTD’s green mobility efforts and provides an alternative to conventional fuel-powered transport for pilgrims travelling across the hill shrine.
Beyond Tirumala, the initiative forms part of Reliance’s broader commitment to sustainable development and cleaner mobility solutions across India.
As pilgrimage destinations across the country grapple with rising visitor numbers and the environmental pressures associated with transportation, Tirumala’s move towards electric mobility offers a significant model of how devotion and environmental stewardship can travel on the same road.
