Anant Ambani Donates 25 Electric Buses to Tirumala — India's Green Pilgrimage Transport Begins

July 5, 2026 — Sophie Crawford 4 min read

Twenty-five electric buses rolled into Tirumala on Thursday, marking one of the largest private donations to India's sacred pilgrimage infrastructure. Anant Ambani, heir to the Reliance Industries conglomerate, gifted the fleet worth Rs 27.5 crore to support the temple town's environmental sustainability programme. The donation arrives as Tirumala faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint while managing more than 50,000 visitors daily.

Electric Fleet Targets Tirumala's Pollution Problem

The donation directly addresses a longstanding environmental challenge at one of the world's most visited religious sites. Tirumala, perched in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, operates a fleet of hundreds of diesel vehicles that shuttle pilgrims between the temple complex and nearby Tirupati town. Local authorities have struggled for years to balance accessibility with air quality standards in the narrow hillside roads.

The new electric buses will initially serve the temple town's internal shuttle routes, replacing older diesel vehicles on the most congested segments. Officials at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the trust managing the shrine, confirmed the fleet would be operational within three months after charging infrastructure is installed.

Reliance's Green Footprint Expands

Anant Ambani's donation fits within a broader push by Reliance Industries to establish itself as a leader in India's clean energy transition. The conglomerate has committed billions to renewable energy projects and electric mobility ventures. Earlier this year, Reliance unveiled plans to manufacture advanced battery cells at its Jamnagar complex, targeting the domestic electric vehicle supply chain.

For investors, the Tirumala donation signals strategic positioning in the religious tourism sector's sustainability transformation. India tourism executives estimate the Tirumala-Tirupati corridor attracts approximately 30 million visitors annually, generating revenue exceeding Rs 2,000 crore for the Devasthanams trust alone.

Market Implications for EV Manufacturers

The order volume of 25 buses creates meaningful demand signal for domestic electric vehicle makers. Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, both competing for government fleet contracts, could benefit from increased visibility in the pilgrimage tourism segment. Industry analysts note that successful deployment at Tirumala could prompt other temple towns to pursue similar electric conversions, opening a niche market within India's broader EV push.

Charging infrastructure providers also stand to gain. The requirement to install rapid chargers capable of handling a 25-bus fleet represents a substantial contract, likely to be awarded through competitive tender by the Devasthanams.

Economic Calculations Behind the Donation

While framed as a philanthropic gesture, the economics of the donation carry strategic weight for Reliance. Corporate social responsibility mandates require large Indian companies to spend two percent of average net profits on eligible activities. The Rs 27.5 crore contribution satisfies multiple objectives simultaneously: fulfilling CSR obligations, generating positive publicity, and embedding Reliance-connected technology in a high-profile public context.

For the Devasthanams, accepting the electric fleet eliminates capital expenditure the trust would otherwise need to budget over several years. The buses also promise lower operating costs, since electricity remains cheaper than diesel per kilometre travelled. Projections from transport economists suggest each electric bus saves approximately Rs 12 lakh annually in fuel and maintenance compared to equivalent diesel models.

What Pilgrims and Locals Can Expect

Tirupati resident Venkat Rao, who runs a small hotel near the temple complex, welcomed the announcement. "The diesel buses make terrible noise and smell on those steep roads," he told local media. "If these electric ones work properly, it will be much better for everyone."

Visitors to the Tirumala shrine currently rely on a combination of footpaths, electric battery-powered vehicles, and diesel buses operated by the Devasthanams. The new fleet will supplement rather than entirely replace existing transport options during the initial phase. Devasthanams officials indicated they would monitor passenger feedback before committing to a full fleet transition.

Broader Context: India's Temple Towns Go Green

Tirumala joins a growing list of Indian religious sites pursuing sustainability initiatives. Varanasi has invested in Ganges river cleaning projects tied to temple ceremonies. Shirdi recently installed solar panels on temple buildings. The shift reflects both regulatory pressure from state pollution control boards and genuine demand from younger pilgrims who express concern about environmental degradation at sacred sites.

India's Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has identified pilgrimage tourism as an underserved segment for clean energy deployment. Government subsidies are available for solar installations and EV charging infrastructure at recognised religious destinations, making the economics more attractive for trusts considering similar transitions.

Timeline and Next Steps

Charging stations must be constructed before the buses can enter service. Construction permits for the charging infrastructure are expected within six weeks, according to sources within the Devasthanams administration. Full fleet deployment is targeted for the Diwali festival season, when Tirumala sees its highest visitor numbers of the year.

Investors and clean energy companies should watch whether the Tirumala project attracts attention from other Devasthanams trusts managing large pilgrimage sites across India. The financial viability of this deployment will determine whether 25 buses becomes a template for dozens more across the country's temple economy.