Massive rush at bus and railway stations was witnessed on Wednesday as people converged at these places to travel to their native places in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to exercise their franchise.
Large passenger outflows to Andhra Pradesh began after 9 pm on Tuesday with the Telangana State Road Transport recording 152 bus departures for Vijayawada from the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station alone. Another 50 buses for the same city departed from L. B. Nagar.
Buses to Kurnool left from Aramghar Cross Roads and Gachibowli. According to senior TSRTC officials, the total number of buses which left for both cities in Andhra Pradesh stood at 208 on Tuesday night alone.
Private buses
A large number of private buses left from major pick-up points such as Lakdi-ka-pul, Paradise and Ameerpet which led to traffic snarls in the area. Boarding points also included those at Miyapur and KPHB.
Much like Tuesday, bus operators charged up to four times the usual fare per seat. For instance, the fare per seat for Vijaywada went up to ₹3,000.
Passengers began to converge at the MGBS and Jubilee Bus Station from Wednesday morning. While the inflow of passengers at these bus station was light in the early hours, officials said that this was due to the rush being cleared a night before. However, passenger activity, especially at MGBS, picked up towards the afternoon.
“While we have seen many reservations being made, a large number of passengers approach the ticket counter before they want to leave. This is the trend we have seen. Our regional managers are on the field and so far everything is smooth,” a TSRTC official said.
According to TSRTC Executive Director C Vinod Kumar, as many as 1,250 buses have been pressed into service with around 300 making to destinations in Andhra Pradesh. “We are expecting mild rush tomorrow as well. So far everything is going on as planned. If there is a need for more buses, we can augment,” he said.
Parties jump in
Political parties too began ferrying voters to their native places in Andhra Pradesh. Those in the know said that parties appointed one point person for five families. This person was in charge of making travel arrangements for voters and their return.
Thousands of voters took the trains to the reach their destinations. The Secunderabad Railway Station was bursting at its seams on Wednesday which several passengers spilling onto the platforms.
Many were seen getting into heated arguments with fellow passengers for seats and even entry into coaches. Despite the doors of coaches being shut from inside, passengers were seen trying to enter. According to travellers, traffic snarls at major toll gates on the way to Andhra Pradesh were witnessed due to high vehicular activity.