Lucknow, Aug. 11 -- The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is planning to start a direct mini-bus service connecting major religious destinations around Lucknow. A route survey for the proposed service is expected to begin soon. The Lucknow region of UPSRTC has identified a route linking Qaiserbagh with Naimisharanya via the Chandrika Devi temple in Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT). Officials said the proposed service aims to provide a direct public transport link for devotees travelling between the two religious destinations. Under the proposed route, buses will run from Kaisarbagh to the Chandrika Devi temple near the Gomti bridge in BKT. They will then travel through Mal, Bharawan, Atrouli, Gondwa and Hatyaharan Tirth before reaching Lalita Devi Dham in Naimisharanya. Before introducing the service, UPSRTC will conduct a route survey to assess road conditions, distance, and expected passenger demand. Based on the findings, the corporation will fix the fare according to the total distance and prepare a timetable considering passenger availability.Officials said the service will use 28-seater mini-buses. If preparations are completed as planned, the service is expected to start by the last week of August. Lucknow regional manager Vimal Rajan said the proposal resulted from the regional office receiving a request on July 22 for a direct transport service between the two religious destinations."A request was received through email on July 22 stating that devotees travelling between Maa Chandrika Devi in Bakshi Ka Talab and Maa Lalita Devi in Naimisharanya do not have a direct public transport facility. We have identified the route and will conduct a survey before finalising the service," Rajan said. After the survey is completed, UPSRTC will finalise the route distance, fare, number of trips and timings before starting regular operations. Officials said the proposed route could provide a shorter and more convenient alternative to the existing routes connecting Lucknow with Naimisharanya. The distance via Chandrika Devi is shorter than the routes through Sidhauli or Sandila-Benhaiganj. They also expect good passenger demand on the proposed route.The proposed service is part of UPSRTC's efforts to improve direct connectivity to religious destinations and make travel easier for devotees, especially those travelling from Lucknow without private vehicles....