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Devotees Face Rampant Overcharging by Private Taxis in Tirumala
– Devotees claim that private taxis and Commander jeeps occupy most roads and cause traffic congestion in Tirumala.
– Pilgrims say taxi operators charge ₹100-₹600 for short trips and up to ₹800 during night hours.
– Overcrowding on TTD’s free bus services during peak periods forces many pilgrims to rely on private transport.
– Devotees demand strict enforcement, fixed fares and prepaid taxi system to curb overcharging and improve traffic management.
What are you doing? The danger of private taxis, especially jeeps, is growing in Tirumala; devotees allege excessive charging, poor enforcement by traffic police and encroachment of public space atop the hill town.
Every day, thousands of pilgrims depend on local transport to travel between Tirupati and Tirumala, seek out accommodation centres, reach darshan entry points and visit local tourist attractions. Devotees claim that private transport operators charge between 100 and 600 Indian rupees within Tirumala, even though the distances are short.
Night rates range from ₹200 to ₹800 depending on demand. The cost of a barely three kilometer journey between the bus stand and Vaikuntam queuing complex varies between ₹100 to ₹300 per passenger.
Many pilgrims who are unfamiliar with local routes and distances are at the mercy of taxi operators. TTD operates free buses connecting various parts of Tirumala. However, these become overcrowded on weekends, holidays and peak seasons; often forcing devotees to depend on private transportation.
Such repeated complaints have revived demands for prepaid taxi booths and a fixed fare system.
Another complaint from devotees is about taxi operators taking over many roads and junctions. Jeeps and private taxis can be seen waiting for passengers at many points. Pilgrims claim that roads intended for free movement of vehicles are used as unofficial taxi stands, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience.
“Wherever we went, we saw jeeps parked on the roadside waiting for customers. In some places, traffic slows down as vehicles occupy road space. TTD is aware of this. But it seems there is no solution,” said a devotee from Bengaluru.
The criticism comes at a time when Tirumala’s traffic police wing is grappling with manpower constraints. Despite heavy pilgrim traffic and VIP and VVIP movements, the department is reportedly working with only one circle inspector, four assistant inspectors and around 20 police constables.
While traffic personnel have been deployed at only around 10 major points, traffic congestion is being reported at more than 20 points across Tirumala. TTD deployed private security guards and former soldiers to bridge the gap. But devotees say traffic remains chaotic.
Frequent devotees say the problem has persisted for years despite repeated complaints. TTD and traffic police say that they organize periodic awareness programs for taxi drivers. But devotees argue that unless the TTD and traffic police go beyond advisory and initiate stringent enforcement and fines, road violations and toll violations will continue at the expense of pilgrims.
– Overcrowding on TTD’s free bus services during peak periods forces many pilgrims to rely on private transport.
– Devotees demand strict enforcement, fixed fares and prepaid taxi system to curb overcharging and improve traffic management.
What are you doing? The danger of private taxis, especially jeeps, is growing in Tirumala; devotees allege excessive charging, poor enforcement by traffic police and encroachment of public space atop the hill town.
Every day, thousands of pilgrims depend on local transport to travel between Tirupati and Tirumala, seek out accommodation centres, reach darshan entry points and visit local tourist attractions. Devotees claim that private transport operators charge between 100 and 600 Indian rupees within Tirumala, even though the distances are short.
Night rates range from ₹200 to ₹800 depending on demand. The cost of a barely three kilometer journey between the bus stand and Vaikuntam queuing complex varies between ₹100 to ₹300 per passenger.
Many pilgrims who are unfamiliar with local routes and distances are at the mercy of taxi operators. TTD operates free buses connecting various parts of Tirumala. However, these become overcrowded on weekends, holidays and peak seasons; often forcing devotees to depend on private transportation.
Such repeated complaints have revived demands for prepaid taxi booths and a fixed fare system.
Another complaint from devotees is about taxi operators taking over many roads and junctions. Jeeps and private taxis can be seen waiting for passengers at many points. Pilgrims claim that roads intended for free movement of vehicles are used as unofficial taxi stands, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience.
“Wherever we went, we saw jeeps parked on the roadside waiting for customers. In some places, traffic slows down as vehicles occupy road space. TTD is aware of this. But it seems there is no solution,” said a devotee from Bengaluru.
The criticism comes at a time when Tirumala’s traffic police wing is grappling with manpower constraints. Despite heavy pilgrim traffic and VIP and VVIP movements, the department is reportedly working with only one circle inspector, four assistant inspectors and around 20 police constables.
While traffic personnel have been deployed at only around 10 major points, traffic congestion is being reported at more than 20 points across Tirumala. TTD deployed private security guards and former soldiers to bridge the gap. But devotees say traffic remains chaotic.
Frequent devotees say the problem has persisted for years despite repeated complaints. TTD and traffic police say that they organize periodic awareness programs for taxi drivers. But devotees argue that unless the TTD and traffic police go beyond advisory and initiate stringent enforcement and fines, road violations and toll violations will continue at the expense of pilgrims.
