Dasara rush swells at Pandit Nehru Bus Station in Vijayawada

Passengers waiting to board a bus at Pandit Nehru Bus Station in Vijayawada on Saturday. | Photo Credit: G.N. RAO

A festive buzz fills the air at the Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) in Vijayawada on Saturday (October 17, 2026), where the sound of buses pulling in and moving out mingles with announcements, hurried footsteps, and the chatter of excited families. Passengers carrying bags stuffed with clothes, sweets, and gifts jostle their way through the crowds, eager to board buses to their hometowns and reunite with their near and dear ones for Dasara. With schools and colleges closed for the festival holidays, the bus station has turned into a sea of humanity, reflecting the festive spirit and the annual rush to celebrate the occasion with family.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is operating 5,261 special buses during the Dasara festival to cater to the surge in passenger traffic within the State and from major cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.