Tirumala ghat roads are two asphalt steep natural slopes ghat roads between Tirupati and Tirumala.
Route Descriptions[edit]
Both ghat roads are double lane type, follow different paths along the hills. The old ghat road was laid in 1944, other was opened in 1974. Old ghat road route is used for vehicles from Tirumala to Tirupati and new ghat road is from Tirupati to Tirumala. The starting point of the road to go up Tirumala hills is Alipiri and it is overlooked by an immense statue of Garuda in an anjili pose. Each road is approximately 19 km in length and has more than 36 hair pin bends. It takes 40 minutes to reach top Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.

Design
The ghat road over Seven Hills between Tirumala to Tirupati was designed by preeminent engineer Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Vishweshvaraiah.[3]

Toll gate

Sapthagiri Security Zone cum Toll gate on New Ghat road at Alipiri-Tirupati
At Alipiri, Tollgate cum security zone was established to screen vehicles and pilgrims entering Tirumala, to safeguard the hills from terrorists and anti-social elements
There are two well-laid, all-weather, asphalt ghat roads between Tirupati and Tirumala.

The old ghat road was laid in 1944, and is for vehicles returning from Tirumala. It is 19 km in length. The new ghat road, which was opened in 1974, is for vehicles proceeding towards Tirumala.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs a regular bus service bet frequentcy of just two minutes.Bus fare are:

(I) For Adults - Rs. 45.00 per head

(II) For Children - Rs. 23.00 per head

You can save time by buying your Tirumala-Tirupati return tickets at Tirupati itself. These tickets are valid for three days from the date of purchase and ticket-holders can board any of the APSRTC buses returning to Tirupati within these three days .

During Brahmotsavam and on important occasions like New Year's Day, buses ply round the clock with a frequency of one bus every minute.

For the convenience of pilgrims arriving in groups, APSRTC provides contract carriages. Each carriage or bus can be hired for Rs. 900.00. It seats 45 persons.

The bus can either be booked then and there, or reserved in advance.

At Tirupati there are four bus-stations located in different corners of the town.

• Sri Venkateswara Bus Station (SVBS): Pilgrims arriving by train can use SVBS, which is located just opposite the Tirupati Railway Station. Whenever trains arrive, buses are stationed right in front of the main gate of the railway station, for the convenience of pilgrims.

• Balaji Link Bus Station (BLBS): For the convenience of pilgrims arriving from Bangalore, BLBS is situated at Alipiri, at the foot of the hills. Here, there is ample space for parking tourist buses and vans.

• Sapthagiri Link Bus Station (SLBS): SLBS serves pilgrims who arrive from Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada sectors. SLBS is located in the Central Bus Station Complex.

• Sri Padmavathi Bus Station (SPBS): SPBS is located at the rear of the Tirupati Railway Station, and caters mainly to the needs of pilgrims arriving in tourist buses.

For a safe journey to Tirumala, it is recommended that you travel by APSRTC buses only. APSRTC uses well-maintained vehicles that are fitted with power steering equipment, and driven by experienced drivers. Safety inspectors ensure that driving rules are followed.

However, if you are using your own vehicle, do negotiate the hair-pin bends on the ghat roads carefully.

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