Date:30/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/30/stories/2007083060690500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Unprecedented security for Tirumala Brahmotsavams

Staff Reporter

Brahmotsavams to begin from September 15

Stringent measures: TTD Trust Board Chairman B. Karunakar Reddy, senior officials of the TTD and police officials review arrangements for Brahmotsavams on Wednesday.

TIRUMALA: Unprecedented security arrangements are being made for the successful conduct of the nine day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara, scheduled to commence on September 15.

According to highly placed sources the recent twin blasts that shook the entire nation and the state capital in particular and the security alerts sounded by various intelligence agencies has rather forced the management to go in for a foolproof security arrangements as the visiting crowd during the mega festival shall be at its zenith.

Briefing the media persons the deliberations of the high level meeting organised on Wednesday with the district police officials, APSRTC officials and heads of various departments, the TTD Chairman B. Karunakar Reddy said that the entire temple town shall be brought under a thick security cover making it impregnable for the anti-social elements to sneak in.

The devotees visiting the temple town during the annual festival shall be thoroughly frisked at Alipiri security point and at all vulnerable points atop the sacred hills including the Mada streets through which the daily processions of Lord on various vahanams shall be organised.

Cameras installed

Closed circuit cameras shall be installed at all vital points atop the entire town to keep a constant surveillance on the movement of the pilgrims. There will be high policing during the daily processions along the Mada streets encircling the holy shrine. Further to accommodate more darshan hours to the common devotees the VIP darshan system shall be dispensed on all the days during the festival period.Prominent among others who participated in the festival include the TTD Executive Officer, K.V.Rmanachary,the two joint executive officers G.Balaramaiah and Srikant, District Superintendent of the Police Sasidhar Reddy and others.