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Lack of buses hits tourism in AP
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), which lost heavily due to bifurcation of State to Telangana state by losing properties including buses, is now unable to operate buses to various parts of the state from capital Amaravati region.T
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), which lost heavily due to bifurcation of State to Telangana state by losing properties including buses, is now unable to operate buses to various parts of the state from capital Amaravati region.The APTDC has lost more than 60 buses to Telangana due to division of the State. Now, there is huge demand for the tourism buses in and around Vijayawada to destinations like Tirupati, Srisailam, Vizag, Araku, Hyderabad, Bengaluru etc.
Highlights:
- APTDC owns only one mini bus in Capital region
- The APTDC lost 60 buses to TS
- APTDC needs eight buses to operate services to various destinations and regain glory
The APTDC is now left with only one mini bus for the tour operations in Vijayawada. Before bifurcation of the state the APTDC with head quarters in Hyderabad used to operate services to different parts of AP and areas like Shirdi also and earned profits. ‘Now, all that is history, we lost so much due to partition of the State’, said APTDC, Vijayawada divisional manager V V S Gangaraju. He said the APTDC is left with the only bus in Vijayawada and some others at Tirupati. He said the APTDC can earn huge profits if the Government allocates seven or eight buses.
Vijayawada being located centrally in the state with vast network of road, rail and air connectivity can be developed as a major revenue source to APTDC, feel officials.The APTDC is equipped with trained and skilled staff including guides and infrastructure facilities to operate buses. More than 200 employees are working in Krishna and Guntur districts alone with offices in two districts. Now, the APTDC is operating only one bus to Amaravati capital region covering Secretariat, Amaravati Buddhist museum, Mangalagiri etc.
It is a one day tour from morning to evening with ticket of Rs.400 for adults and Rs.300 to children.The APTDC is facing many problems to operate the buses with the support of APSRTC or private operators, who are ready to enter into contract for a specific period of time like one month or two months. If the APTDC enters into agreement with RTC or private operators they have to pay money for the whole period even though there is no demand from the tourists.
Tourism is a seasonal business and restricted to some months during the holidays, marriages season and festivals. If the APTDC owns buses, it can operate the buses as per the demand from the pilgrims and earn profits, said the Divisional Manager.
By Md Ameen
