Steps mooted to prevent fire mishaps at TTD's kitchen in Tirumala

Tirumala: The fire mishap at Boondi Potu (kitchen) in Tirumala temple on Sunday alerted the TTD management to take up steps to prevent such mishaps. On an average, TTD has been preparing 4 lakh laddus daily for sale to thedevotees and also big size laddu (Kalyanotsavam laddu) in limited number necessitating the Potu to function for about 20 hours.

The workers work in two shifts (nine-hours for a shift) which starts at 2 am in morning and continue till 10 pm in the night. As many as 40 gas based oven work in the Potu for the preparation of Boondi which re prone for fire mishaps due to various reasons like spilling of ghee in the burning gas stove or the ghee in the pan catching fire due to excessive heat.

TTD initiated series of measures after the fire accident in the Potu, about 18 months ago. TTD Additional EO AV Dharma Reddy held a meeting with HoDs and senior officials of Engineering, Temple, Potu and other departments in Tirumala on Tuesday on finding out permanent solution to prevent fire mishaps in the Potu.

Later, speaking to media persons, Addl EO said a Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) is being formulated to bring awareness among the Potu workers on Do's and Dont's to be followed while on work.

On a trial basis we have purchased two Thermic-Fluid Stoves in July this year for safe preparation of Boondi. If the new mechanism succeeds, we will increase the number of `Thermic-Fluid stoves though it involves much cost, he said.

The official meeting also discussed the implementation of the ban on plastic in Tirumala. Chief Engineer Ramachandra Reddy, Temple deputy EO Harindranath and others were present.