Karnataka RTC to Operate Daily Buses to Pampa; Special Services Until Makaravilakku
BENGALURU: With just a week remaining for the commencement of the Sabarimala Mandala pilgrimage season, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced a daily bus service from Bengaluru to Pampa. The route and timings of the service will be announced on the following day. The service will continue until the conclusion of the Makaravilakku season.
In addition to the daily Airavata Club Class service, KSRTC will operate non-AC sleeper, Rajahamsa and Sarige Express buses on weekends and other days of heavy pilgrim demand. Arrangements have also been made to provide buses on hire for groups travelling to Sabarimala.
The daily service will operate via Mysuru, while the additional services will run through Salem and Palakkad. Meanwhile, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has yet to initiate steps to operate special bus services to Pampa this season.
Various organisations had earlier demanded the resumption of the Pampa special bus service, which was discontinued after the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, a deluxe bus operated by the Kerala KSRTC from Bengaluru to Kottarakkara via Mysuru used to travel through Erumeli. However, the route was changed after the service was converted into an AC sleeper service, causing inconvenience to Sabarimala pilgrims.
With the Mandala season approaching, pilgrims are still awaiting an announcement from the Kerala KSRTC regarding the resumption of special services to Pampa.