World-class security cover for Tirumala by next February

Tirumala: The hill temple of Lord Venkateswara will have a world-class security by February 2018, said TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal. After the monthly ‘Dial your EO’ programme, during the press conference at Annamayya Bhavan, the EO said, CVSO A Ravikrishna has recently visited New Delhi and Hyderabad to review the airport model of security system.

“We will have a sophisticated security mechanism after four months,” the EO asserted. Later, he said, TTD is refunding 25 to 50 per cent tariff for advance booking of accommodation through online if the pilgrims vacate the rooms within the prescribed time. Similarly, the TTD has contemplated for current booking also.

The amount will be refunded directly to Aadhaar linked bank account of pilgrims, he stated and added that the TTD has been negotiating with banks to cut down the charges on online transactions. Hopefully, charges will come down by December, the EO said. “There is a huge response for three-day and four-day Srivari Seva and all the bookings for Vaikuntha Ekadasi and New Year have already completed.

This will provide an opportunity to youth, educated and employed sections also. Similarly, we are contemplating the same for scouts also following the feedback from pilgrims,” he stated. Singhal mentioned that all the civil a works and other arrangements for Vaikuntha Ekadasi will be completed by December 15.

Already Tirumala JEO KS Srinivasa Raju has been continuously monitoring the progress of works, he said. Later, EO said elaborate arrangements are underway in the supervision of Tirupati JEO P Bhaskar for Tiruchanur Brahmotsavams which commences from November 15 onwards. All Projects Special Officer N Muktheswara Rao, CE Chandrasekhar Reddy and other officials were also present.