No Heallth Hazard at Tirumala , says TTD

Tirumala, September   27: One health officer, one unit officer, four senior sanitary inspectors, seven  Sanitary inspectors and one senior annalist continuously monitoring sanitation, water and food analysis, garbage lifting and clearing.

Disclosing this the Chief Health Officer of  Tirumala,  Dr Vijayalakshmi said 827 permanent workers, 966 contract workers in addition to 305 additional contract workers were engaged to clear garbage from all crucial points round the clock in three shifts.

For the convenience of the pilgrims, mobile toilets have also been set up in over   50 places, 10  in the Mada streets for benefit of pilgrims who reside in the galleries of Mada streets.

Dr Vijayalakshmi said  40 to 42 tonnes of garbage was generated daily at Tirumala due to the crush of pilgrims and the same were cleared with seven regular tractors service two others pressed into service during the, especially during the Brahmotsavams.

” We have taken steps to separate bio and degraded garbage from the general garbage for separate treatment,”  says Executive Officer  I  Y R Krishna Rao.

Six teams with two assistants have been pressed into service for  Fly, misquote and insects control operations and 30 workers engaged during the brahmotsavams.  ” Twice a day they undertake fogging against mosquitos and also spray  DDT  and phenol at all water logging and congested locations to keep the insects and flies away,” he says.

427 Beggars and 7 dogs were caught by a special team under the control of SSI Krishnaiah during the festival period.  ” We appeal to the pilgrims to not encourage beggars by giving alms as the TTD has made special arrangements for their boarding and lodging,” he says.

Special care is taken by the health units to maintain hygiene and sanitation at all the guest houses,  Mutts and food establishments. “They are checked every day to ensure that there is no contamination of food “.

All the charitable institutions and donors distributing food products to pilgrims are also monitored so that they do not spread diseases through unhygienic practices, says Dr Sharada. Over  130  charitable institutions and donors have been registered and their products were monitored and scrutinised periodically ,. she said.

All hotels and other food establishments, mutts are daily inspected by the staff.

Ten health supervisors, one senior water analyst deputed from the government of Andhra Pradesh to monitor the quality of food at annadanam, S.V.G.Canteen, PAC annadhanama, and footpath.

 Total 847 food and water samples were tested from 17-9-09

 540 Srivari Seva Volunteers were engaged.

ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TTDs, TIRUPATI