Tirupati: Pilgrims, commoners voluntarily participate

Tirupati: The response to the Janata curfew' which was observed nationwide as part of the efforts to check the spread of deadly coronavirus, on Sunday was total in pilgrim city.

Most of the people at different places in city were confined to homes from early hours, shops, business establishments were shut down, private and public transport vehicles were kept off the roads. With no movement of people at market places, railway station, central bus station and other busy places, the city wore a deserted look. There were no movement of pilgrims at Srinivasam, Vishnu Nivasam, choultries, link bus stations and tourist bus stand.

In Balaji bus station, near Alipiri which normally remain crowded with TTD employees and pilgrims, remained empty except a few RTC employees on duty and a bus kept ready for the transportation of TTD employees to Tirumala.

What was unbelievable was the response of the residents who remain in their homes and even the children were not seen on streets and roads. Even small shops, tea stalls and eateries also not seen anywhere in the city.

Tirupati Urban SP A Ramesh Reddy who went round the city giving instructions to his men thanked the residents for their voluntary support to Janata curfew. It may be noted here that the famed hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara was also closed for darshan from Friday stopping the arrival of pilgrims from across the country and other temples managed by TTD were also remaining closed for darshan. However, the Nitya doopa deepa naivedyams are going on uninterrupted daily in the shrines.