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The State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is gearing up to introduce a new fleet of buses for Ayodhya, aiming to enhance connectivity and transportation for the increasing number of pilgrims visiting the temple town after the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla.
Officials revealed that, in addition to the initial 10 ‘Ramrath buses’ operating from Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Ballia, and Prayagraj, preparations are underway for more such buses in the second phase.
“Ten buses were deployed in the first phase, and the second phase will include two Ramrath buses for the main bus depot in every city,” stated a UPSRTC official. However, the date for the second phase introduction of the Ramrath fleet is yet to be decided.
Responding to an appeal by the Ayodhya administration to manage the influx of pilgrims after the January 22 consecration ceremony, UPSRTC temporarily halted all buses to Ayodhya until 10 pm on January 23. Subsequently, the bus service gradually resumed for the convenience of devotees.
Ajit Singh, the media liaison for UPSRTC, mentioned that many buses, including the ‘Ramrath fleet’ designed specifically to transport pilgrims to the temple, were not operating at full capacity.
The UPSRTC fleet has the capacity to address the travel needs of up to one lakh devotees daily, including both direct and connecting buses, Singh stated. He added, “All 933 buses, including 10 from the Ayodhya Dham Express fleet, are now serving Ayodhya, but they are not operating at full capacity. The expected rush in the days following the consecration has diminished, possibly due to reports of overcrowding in the city.”
