IntrCity SmartBus Opens Traveller Lounge in Tirupati to Support Pilgrims

Key Highlights

• IntrCity SmartBus opens traveller lounge in Tirupati for early-arriving passengers
• Lounge offers luggage storage, showers, and changing rooms near RTC Bus Stand
• Tirupati sees 30 to 40 million annual visits to Sri Venkateswara Temple
• Religious tourism in India reached 1.43 billion domestic visits in 2022
• IntrCity SmartBus operates over 630 routes across 15 states

Facilities for Pilgrims in Tirupati

The traveller lounge aims to help passengers arriving on overnight bus services who need a place to freshen up before visiting the Sri Venkateswara Temple. Tirupati is one of India's busiest pilgrimage destinations, with daily footfall between 60,000 and 80,000 devotees. Annual visits are estimated at 30 million to 40 million, making it one of the most visited pilgrimage sites worldwide.

IntrCity SmartBus identified the need for such facilities based on travel patterns. A significant share of its passengers arrive early and require last-mile convenience before darshan. The company operates on more than 630 routes in 15 states, connecting major religious destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Shirdi.

Growth in Religious Tourism

Religious tourism in India continues to grow. According to the Ministry of Tourism, domestic visits to religious destinations exceeded 1.43 billion in 2022. These visits contributed about ₹1.34 lakh crore in revenue. Religious travel accounts for over 60% of total tourism activity. The segment is projected to reach $59 billion by 2028, supported by infrastructure upgrades and better connectivity.

Manish Rathi, Co-founder and CEO of IntrCity SmartBus, said that travel demand remains high in pilgrimage corridors like Tirupati, especially on overnight routes from major cities. He noted that improving the travel ecosystem is important as more passengers use organised intercity bus networks.

Company Operations and Expansion

IntrCity SmartBus has expanded its services in pilgrimage corridors to meet rising demand for organised and technology-enabled intercity travel. The company operates an asset-light model and is part of the RailYatri ecosystem. RailYatri is a digital platform for train travel that serves over 12 million users each month.