Anant Ambani Donates 25 Electric Buses to Tirumala in Rs 27.5 Crore Green Push
Reliance Industries chairman Anant Ambani has gifted 25 electric buses to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the trust that manages one of the world's most visited religious sites. The donation, valued at Rs 27.5 crore, forms part of a broader push to modernise transport at the hilltop temple complex in Andhra Pradesh while reducing its carbon footprint.
What the donation includes
The fleet consists of 25 fully electric vehicles designed to ferry pilgrims between the main temple and surrounding facilities. Each bus is equipped with air conditioning, a necessity for the thousands of devotees who make the journey daily despite temperatures that regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius on the hilltop. The buses replace a portion of the existing diesel-powered fleet that has served the complex for years.
Tirumala receives an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 visitors on normal days, a figure that surges during festivals. Managing transport for such volumes has long strained the Devasthanams' resources and complicated its environmental commitments.
Why the timing matters
The donation arrives as Tirumala faces mounting pressure to address environmental concerns tied to its operations. The temple complex sits within a protected ecological zone on the Seshachalam hills. Campaign groups have repeatedly urged authorities to phase out diesel vehicles on the hilltop, citing air quality concerns and the degradation of surrounding forestland.
The Devasthanams had previously announced targets to electrify a significant portion of its vehicle fleet by 2026. This donation accelerates that timeline considerably. Officials at the trust confirmed the new buses entered service within weeks of the announcement.
Ambani's broader environmental portfolio
Anant Ambani has positioned himself as a key figure in Reliance Industries' transition towards sustainable energy. The conglomerate, led by his father Mukesh Ambani, has committed billions of dollars to renewable energy projects and electric mobility solutions. The Tirumala donation fits within a pattern of high-profile charitable contributions that also serve as brand-building exercises for the conglomerate.
Reliance recently inaugurated a gigawatt-scale renewable energy facility in Gujarat and has partnered with several state governments on clean energy infrastructure. The company has stated it aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.
Reactions and what comes next
The Devasthanams welcomed the donation in a formal statement, praising the gesture while stopping short of naming Ambani directly in public communications. Temple authorities are now evaluating how to expand charging infrastructure to support additional electric vehicles in the coming years.
Environmental groups cautiously acknowledged the move but called for more comprehensive measures. A representative from the Save Seshachalam Hills campaign said the buses represent progress but warned that road expansion projects on the hilltop continue to threaten forested areas.
Devotees have reacted positively on social media, with many sharing footage of the new buses in operation. The sleek white vehicles with green accents have become a common sight along the pilgrimage routes.
The Devasthanams plans to add more electric vehicles to its fleet by the end of the financial year. Whether additional funding comes from private donors or the trust's own reserves remains under discussion. Watch for updates on charging station deployment and any changes to visitor transport fares as the fleet modernises.
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