Good response Slotted Sarva Darshan token system

Tirupati: Balaram, a retired head constable from Wandavasi in Tamil Nadu welcomed the new initiative ‘Slotted Sarva Darshan’ (SSD) introduced by the TTD as it reduces waiting for devotees in the compartments to have the darshan of Lord.

The retried constable who came with his family for darshan availed the SSD token in Srinivasam pilgrim complex here and is ready to visit local temples after his slot was given on Saturday 8 am for darshan of Lord Venkateswara.

The SSD not only cut the pilgrims waiting time in compartments but also pave way for them to spend together quality time till darshan (given to them) to make Tirumala pilgrimage more memorable, he said.

Hanmanth Goud from Hyderabad, who availed the system too lauded it and was happy to spend time with his family visiting the holy places in the area and other shrines down the hills till the darshan timing. 

A trader Venkatarmana said that the new system in the long run will improve pilgrim economy in Tirupati down the hill where more accommodation facilities are available, and many temples were in Tirupati.

A social activist Mangati Gopal Reddy said the SSD is nothing but Sudarshan token system which was in vogue for 16 years earlier. TTD had spent crores of rupees on Sudarshan token system that lasted 4-5 years but was abruptly winded up after it became popular among pilgrims bowing to pressure from vested interests, he said and sought the TTD to take firm steps to avoid the new SSD which will also face the same fate of Sudarshan token system in the interests of pilgrims. 

The SSD tokens will be issued at Railway station, APSRTC main bus station, Vishnu Nivasam and Srinivasam, TTD choultries on the other side of Railway station and Bhudevi complex, near Alipiri RTC bus stand.