In all, 75 buses will be pressed into service to ferry devotees to Chamundi Hills during Ashada Shukravara, which falls on July 17, 24, 31, and August 7.
This was decided at a meeting held to review preparations for the event at the Chamundi on Friday. Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha instructed officials to ensure that 50 KSRTC buses ply from the city bus-stand, in addition to 25 vehicles from the temporary parking place at Lalitha Mahal helipad to the hill top, from dawn till closure of the temple. Besides, the services will also operate on August 5 when the Chamundeshwari vardhanti celebrations will be held. In view of a high turnout during the days, emphasis will be on maintaining cleanliness at the hills and Lalitha Mahal helipad where 60 temporary toilets will be constructed for public use. Though 75 buses will ply, officials have been instructed to operate additional services if need be. Security will be beefed up on the hills. Fire tenders and ambulances will be on standby. There will be provision for drinking water, while temporary health centres with lifesaving drugs and doctors will function to handle any emergency.
