No Free Travel For Women In AP On Special Buses During Karthika Maasa
KAKINADA: It is Karthika Maasa, the holy month when people visit temples. In AP, women take advantage of the free RTC bus ride program to visit not only nearby but also remote temples in various parts of the state.
As a result, the occupancy rate in RTC buses in Godavari districts such as Konaseema, Kakinada, Eluru and East and West Godavari exceeded 100 percent at certain times and days of the week, especially on Mondays and Fridays.
The density is so heavy that APSRTC has operated special buses for Pancharama Kshetras at a fixed fare. If women want to travel on these buses, they have to pay the normal ticket fee. This led to women demanding that extra buses be introduced during Karthika Maasa so that they can travel comfortably for darshan of the deities during the holy month.
It is said that approximately 400 more buses are needed to meet the density, especially of women.
According to RTC officials, the average occupancy rate in Kakinada district has increased to 92 percent and in Amalapuram it has increased to 85 percent. The occupancy percentage of Ramachandrapuram and Ravulapalem is 106 and 104 respectively.
RTC regional president Reddy Appala Naidu told Deccan Chronicle that the company needs 2,500 new buses and 7,500 additional staff. Only then can the RTC respond to the influx, especially of women. Appala Naidu said he will discuss the issue in the meeting scheduled to be held on October 31.
Godavari districts are famous for many temples. Four of the five Pancharama Kshetras are located in Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari districts – Sri Kumara Rama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple in Samalkot, Sri Bhimeswara and Manikyamba Temple in Draksharama, Ksheera Ramalingeswara Temple in Palakollu and Sri Someswara in Bhimavaram Temple. The fifth temple is Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple at Amaravathi in Guntur district.
On Sundays and holidays, people also visit sightseeing places like Maredumilli, Rampachodavaram, seaside areas and Dindi Resorts.
Parvathamma, a female passenger from Pithapuram, said that although the government introduced free travel for women in RTC buses, it could not provide a comfortable journey. Female passengers often fight with each other. He said the government should provide extra buses to meet the rush on special occasions like Karthika Maasa.
