New system saves pilgrims’ time: EO

Tirumala: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal said the TTD mulled the Slotted Sarva Darshan (SSD) system keeping in view of larger interests of common pilgrims as it reduces long waiting hours in queue lines and compartments.

Answering calls in the monthly ‘Dial your EO’ programme at Annamaiah Bhavan here on Friday, the EO said, “We have already started issuing SSD tokens to pilgrims. In a week's time, we will reach 80 per cent of the pilgrims by taking up wide publicity campaign.” 

The EO said the SSD tokens would be issued free of cost and the pilgrim must bring Aadhaar card to get the tokens. In case, if the persons do not have Aadhaar card, the TTD would issue token in the time slot of their choice with voter card. 

Singhal said TTD has set up 57 counters in Tirupati, 33 counters in Tirumala, 19 counters in footpath routes and has taken up wide publicity campaign through its website, distribution of pamphlets, public announcement system, scrolling in SVBC and through advertisements.

He called upon the pilgrims to utilise this new system and have darshan of Lord Venkateswara in specified time slot without waiting for long hours. He stated TTD has not cancelled privilege darshan for aged and differently-abled pilgrims, but it did not release the additional quota owing to summer rush in Tirumala for May and June.

Normally 1,400 tickets will be issued every day in two slots with 700 in each slot for aged and physically challenged pilgrims except for Friday where there is only slot. 

When Manohar, a pilgrim caller from Tirupati brought to the notice of EO that proper cleaning has not been done in Annamacharya Kalayamandiram (AKM) and in Mahati Auditorium, the EO said he will ensure regular cleaning by instructing the concerned officials and would also take steps to revive the distribution of prasadam from Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple.

Callers Ramamurthy from Khammam and Kumar from Chittoor suggested the EO to train the TTD call centre employees on soft communication skills while they interact with the pilgrims. The EO said the concerned officials will be instructed to give proper training to the call centre staff on how to deal with the pilgrims.

A caller Krishnamurthy from Chittoor advised the EO to make announcements at main Annaprasadam Complex and other food distribution centres not to waste food as many pilgrims are wasting it. The EO said awareness will be created among pilgrims and Srivari Seva volunteers on not to waste food while serving pilgrims.

Maha Samprokshanam He said the Maha Samprokshanam, a consecration ceremony, will be observed in Sri Tirumala Temple from August 12-16 with Ankurarpanam on August 11.