New electric fleet and dedicated charging station to strengthen green mobility and sustainable pilgrim transport in Tirumala

 

THEBUSINESSBYES BUREAU

TIRUMALA, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

In a significant step towards greener and more sustainable pilgrim mobility at Tirumala, Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, has handed over a fleet of 25 electric buses and a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging station to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

The buses were formally flagged off by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at an event in Tirumala.

The initiative comes at an important time, ahead of the two Srivari Brahmotsavams, the major annual temple festivals expected to draw a large number of pilgrims to the hill shrine. The contribution also fulfils a commitment made by Anant Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited, during his visit to Tirumala in June 2026, when he pledged to provide TTD with 25 electric buses in support of its efforts to promote environmentally sustainable transportation.

Reliance Foundation and TTD have worked together to develop the charging facilities and other infrastructure required to support the operation of the electric bus fleet. The addition of the 25 electric buses will further strengthen TTD’s ongoing green mobility initiatives, helping reduce reliance on conventional fuel-powered vehicles while providing cleaner transportation options for the millions of devotees who visit Tirumala each year.

The electric mobility initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between Reliance Foundation and Jio-bp. While Reliance Foundation provided philanthropic support for the initiative, Jio-bp contributed its expertise in electric mobility and EV charging infrastructure.

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.”

The initiative reflects Reliance’s broader commitment to sustainable development and the advancement of cleaner mobility solutions across India. By supporting the transition to electric transportation at one of the country’s most visited pilgrimage destinations, the initiative seeks to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable environment while enhancing mobility for pilgrims visiting Tirumala.