Archive · 5 Oct 2026
TTD Bans Commercial Bike Taxis on Tirumala Ghat Roads
The temple administration has stopped app-based bike taxis from taking passengers up the roads to Tirumala.
It made this decision after a crash killed a bike taxi rider and badly injured the passenger.
People can still travel on those roads on their own two-wheelers.
TTD has put up signs and told its staff to stop commercial bike taxis.
It is also talking with ride-hailing companies about blocking bookings to Tirumala.
The Centre for Liberty says the ban could make travel more costly for some pilgrims.
It wants stronger safety rules instead, such as GPS tracking, cameras, and accident support.
The Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams has barred commercial, app-based bike taxis from using the Tirumala ghat roads.
The restriction followed a fatal accident in which a bike taxi rider died and the passenger was critically injured.
Pilgrims using their own two-wheelers are not covered by the ban.
TTD has posted warnings at the Alipiri checkpost and instructed security staff to stop commercial bike taxis.
The Centre for Liberty opposes a blanket ban and has proposed stricter safety rules instead.
- Who
- The Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams imposed the restriction; the Centre for Liberty has criticized it.
- What
- Commercial app-based bike taxi services are prohibited on the Tirumala ghat roads, while private two-wheelers remain permitted.
- When
- The restriction followed a fatal accident; no date is stated.
- Where
- The ghat roads leading to Tirumala, with warning posters at the Alipiri checkpost.
- Why
- TTD says the restriction is a safety measure following a fatal crash.
TTD and safety rationale
Centre for Liberty and regulated access
Whether to prohibit commercial bike taxis
TTD and safety rationale
TTD imposed the restriction as a safety measure after a fatal accident on the hill route.
Centre for Liberty and regulated access
The Centre for Liberty says a blanket ban could make travel more expensive for ordinary pilgrims and urges authorities to reconsider it.
How to address safety risks
TTD and safety rationale
TTD is preventing commercial bike taxis from entering and is exploring ways with ride-hailing companies to stop bookings to Tirumala.
Centre for Liberty and regulated access
The Centre for Liberty proposes tighter regulation, including GPS tracking, cameras, rider restrictions for serious safety records, and company accountability for assistance, insurance, and medical support.
- Authority
- Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
- Restricted service
- Commercial app-based bike taxis
- Roads affected
- Tirumala ghat roads
- Private two-wheelers
- Not covered by the ban
- Warning location
- Alipiri checkpost
- Accident stated
- A bike taxi rider was killed and the pillion passenger critically injured
- Critic
- The Centre for Liberty called for stricter safety measures instead of a complete ban