As the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls loom on May 13, thousands of Hyderabad residents are embarking on journeys back to their native Andhra Pradesh for voting.
Transportation hubs witnessed bustling activity as families crowded buses and trains bound for their hometowns to partake in the electoral process.
The Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway witnessed increased traffic as cars, buses, and other vehicles queued up at toll plazas, ferrying voters to their ancestral villages and towns.
Departures began on Friday evening, with voters from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana making their way home for the extended voting weekend.
Approximately 12 lakh voters of Andhra Pradesh origin currently reside in Hyderabad, with many expected to travel over Saturday and Sunday to cast their ballots.
The influx mirrors the scale of travel typically seen during the Sankranti festival, highlighting the significance of this electoral event.
With elections scheduled for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh, and 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, preparations for voter transportation have been underway.
Tech employees in Hyderabad are leaving early from work to spend time with family before voting, further contributing to the travel rush.
Railway and bus stations in Hyderabad and its outskirts witnessed heavy footfall, with Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) and Jubilee Bus Station witnessing a surge in passengers.
While additional buses and special trains have been deployed, the demand still outstrips supply, leading to overcrowded transport services.
Private bus operators have capitalized on the situation, doubling or tripling fares on popular routes.
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is operating around 2,000 additional buses to accommodate the surge in demand.
The South Central Railway has arranged special trains and additional coaches to manage the rush from Secunderabad and Kacheguda stations.
Political parties in Andhra Pradesh are actively encouraging voters residing in Hyderabad to return home, offering financial assistance for travel.
Amid concerns of duplicate voters, the Election Commission has taken measures to address the issue, including simultaneous polling in both states on the same day.
