LUCKNOW, July 29 -- To manage the expected rush of devotees during Sawan, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) will operate 100 special buses from Lucknow starting July 30, connecting pilgrims with major Shiva shrines across the state, including Varanasi, Ayodhya and Lodheshwar Mahadev in Barabanki. The special services are planned for devotees and Kanwariyas travelling to prominent religious destinations such as Gola Gokarnnath and other Shiva temples. The buses will operate from Alambagh, Kaiserbagh and Awadh bus stations. UPSRTC regional manager Vimal Rajan said additional buses would be deployed if passenger demand increases during the Sawan rush. "Teams have been stationed at bus terminals to ensure extra buses can be pressed into service without delay," he said. The corporation has also arranged drinking water, seating facilities and help desks at bus stations to assist passengers. Officials said fares for the special services would remain the same as regular buses, with no additional charges for devotees. Meanwhile, the newly launched Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway bus service carried 54 passengers on its first day of operations on Monday. Two buses operated between Alambagh Bus Terminal and Kanpur's Jhakarkati bus station via the expressway. Officials said the frequency of buses on the route would be increased in phases based on passenger demand. At present, buses are departing from Alambagh at 7 am and 8 am.htc...