Dasara rush swells at Pandit Nehru Bus Station in Vijayawada

A festive buzz fills the air at the Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) in Vijayawada on Saturday (October 17, 2026), where the sound of buses pulling in and moving out mingles with announcements, hurried footsteps, and the chatter of excited families. Passengers carrying bags stuffed with clothes, sweets, and gifts jostle their way through the crowds, eager to board buses to their hometowns and reunite with their near and dear ones for Dasara. With schools and colleges closed for the festival holidays, the bus station has turned into a sea of humanity, reflecting the festive spirit and the annual rush to celebrate the occasion with family.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is operating 5,261 special buses during the Dasara festival to cater to the surge in passenger traffic within the State and from major cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

The special services are being operated in two phases — 3,207 buses from October 16 to 19, ahead of the festival and another 2,054 buses from October 20 to 25 for the return journey. The move is aimed at ensuring that festival travellers reach their destinations without having to endure prolonged waits or struggle to find transport during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The rush was particularly pronounced on Saturday, coinciding with Moola Nakshatram, an auspicious day during the Dasara festivities that draws a massive influx of devotees to the famed Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri hill. “With devotees arriving in Vijayawada to seek the blessings of the presiding deity and families heading to their native places for the festive holidays, the Pandit Nehru Bus Station is witnessing a double surge in passenger traffic,” said APSRTC Vijayawada Zone Executive Director Vijaya Ratnam.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said the convergence of pilgrims and holiday travellers had added to the bustle at the bus station, putting the focus on the APSRTC’s arrangements to manage the heavy rush through additional special services. He said the authorities were diverting city bus services wherever there was a need.

Amid this rush, the APSRTC’s decision to operate additional services without increasing fares has come as a major relief to passengers. With travel expenses already adding to the festive household budget, the availability of special buses at regular fares has made RTC services an attractive option for families travelling in groups.

The situation stands in contrast to that of several private bus operators, who have reportedly hiked ticket prices manifold in response to the seasonal demand. The steep fares have left passengers looking for affordable alternatives, with many preferring APSRTC buses for their comparatively economical travel.

For APSRTC, the challenge lies not merely in adding buses but also in ensuring that the services are deployed efficiently to meet demand on busy routes. Timely departures, adequate passenger information and effective crowd management are essential to making the travel experience less stressful during the festive rush.