TTD Chairman highlights reforms to ease darshan for pilgrims

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board Chairman B.R. Naidu on Friday (August 15) said the management has embarked on several reforms to offer quality darshan to devotees visiting the hill shrine of Tirumala.

During his Independence Day address after hoisting the National Flag at TTD administrative building here, he spoke about the steps taken towards the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as espoused by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, to provide faster darshan by reducing the waiting time.

Referring to pilgrim comfort, he pointed at the launch of a programme to distribute food and milk at the Vaikuntham queue complex once every three hours, the introduction of ‘vada’ at Tarigonda Vengamamba Annadanam Bhavan from March this year, new SRIVANI ticket issue counters to facilitate same-day darshan, modernisation of Kalyanakatta (tonsuring centre) and establishment of a quality testing lab at Tirumala to test food, drinking water, raw materials and ghee.

Mr. Naidu also announced an ambitious plan to ensure construction of Sri Venkateswara temples in all States. “Eight temples have already been completed, while approvals have been obtained in fifteen States and four Union Territories,” he said. Similarly, he also hinted at the planned development of the TTD’s existing sub-temples.

Reiterating the TTD’s resolve to ensure a comfortable darshan and stay to every pilgrim during their visit to Tirupati, Executive Officer J. Syamala Rao appreciated the officials and staff for their commendable services towards the goal.

The TTD management presented a five-gram silver coin bearing the imprint of Sri Venkateswara and a certificate of appreciation to 41 meritorious officers, 278 employees from various departments and seven from SVBC on the occasion.

TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, Joint Executive Officer V. Veerabrahmam, Chief Vigilance and Security Officer Murali Krishna took part.