TIRUMALA SECURITY AT ZERO TOLERANCE TO ALL THREATS_ CVSO

Tirumala, 15 Sep. 15: Tirumala, September15: Tirumala is well guarded against all threats of terrorism throughout the year and special efforts and teams are being geared up for providing a fool proof security to the milling pilgrims and the Srivari temple during the Brahmotsavam-2015.

Speaking to the TTD.News representative, the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer Sri Nagender Kumar said in a routine manner a three layer security check up of pilgrims and transport vehicles was already prevalent – first check at Alipiri gates, Second one at entry through Vaikuntam complex and third at the Mahadrawaram .’There was very little chance for any trouble maker’s to escape through these checks’he said.

Besides all these six bomb disposal teams were positioned at Tirumala on a 24×7 basis and another six BD teams were engaged in random checking of all guest houses, mathams, public locations , vehicles , offices and also shopping malls etc.

For the security of the God’s processions on Mada Street also there was another three layer security network – a ten feet high iron grill perimeter along the outer ring of four mada streets. CCTV’s covering all 29 gates and 13 emergency gates. We have ten teams with cutters all the four Mada streets to cut the grill gates and allow crowds to evacuate. Besides 7 ambulances with stretcher parties and 5 fire tenders, and emergency medical teams along the galleries. “There will be two teams especially even in the Vahana Mandapams “.

For the sake of Brahmotsavams – One NDRF team, 2 Octopus units will be stationed at Tirumala in the vicinity of Srivari Temple and ready for action with five to ten minutes of any happening .Similarly One Grey hound unit will be spread in the forest belt to monitor against Red sanders smugglers and other anti-socials.Besides 2600 security force comprising of home guards, etc, the Tirumala is also guarded by one Addl SP-Four DSP’s, four police stations.‘On a permanent basis we have SPF unit guarding the Srivari temple on a 24×7 basis “, he said.

Asked about future plans the CV& SO who has the mandate for protecting the Srivari Temple and also the pilgrims at Tirumala says that the TTD has an ambitious program to insulate the Tirumala shrine from any kind of threats with Iron grill fencing at three levels. First phase of Iron grill fencing around the Mada streets encircling the Srivari Temple are already complete.The second layer of iron fencing will be outside the outer ring road in Tirumala covering the entire habitation of hill shrine. The third layer of iron grill fencing to the shrine will be around Tirumala Hillock from the Alipiri gates around and estimated to cost Rs.3000 crore. It may take 10-15 years but will completely insulate the Srivari temple and its assets all along the foot walker’s path etc against extremist,terrorist and also red sanders smugglers,hesaid.

The CV & SO said that TTD has also launched a unique voluntary and service corps to utilise the services of veterans in police, defense and other forces.Titled as Viswak Sena, the service corps will comprise of 100 men.‘Most of them are experts in their own field and drawn from various forces and units in the country and the effort is to use them as a think tank to support the services and security of the TTD establishments and activities .TTD gain immensely with their experiences’.

He said the task team was working out the dress code, code of conduct and other logistics of utilising their services.’We are hopeful of putting up a force by next Karthika Pournami in January “he added.

ISSUED BY TTD PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI