Latest news with #LordVenkateswara
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Redevelopment of Tirupati Rly Station on fast track
TIRUPATI: Tirupati Railway Station, the main gateway for thousands of devotees visiting the famous Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, is finally getting a modern upgrade. After years of delays, the much-anticipated Rs 300 crore redevelopment project was initiated in 2022, with an initial completion deadline set for February 2025. However, due to technical challenges, the project timeline had to be extended. The station is now expected to be completed by December 2025. The redevelopment works are meant to provide a seamless experience for the passengers whose numbers are expected to cross one lakh mark in the next 2-3 decades. To meet this growing demand, the Indian Railways is transforming Tirupati into one of the most modern railway stations in the country. The old entrance on the north side had become too cramped for the ever-growing crowd of devotees. To ease the pressure, the railways have focused on developing the southern side also with a new building by providing all advanced amenities. Station Director K Satyanarayana told The Hans India that around 95 per cent of the work on the southern side is already done. Once it's completed, the focus will shift to speeding up construction on the northern side. The southern side features a large G+3 building, which will later be expanded by another 10 floors under a public-private partnership. These extra floors will be leased out for commercial spaces. The new station is being built with passenger comfort in mind. The southern basement alone offers parking for 200 cars and 300 two-wheelers. The ground floor will have ticket counters, arrival and departure concourses, and waiting lounges. The second floor will host waiting halls, a women's waiting area, a food court, toilets, and a cloakroom. The third floor will house facilities like a running room for staff, resting rooms for TTEs and railway offices. To make moving around easier, altogether 20 lifts and 22 escalators are being installed. All platforms will connect to two spacious air concourses, each 35 meters wide, making it easier for passengers to reach any platform once their train is announced. Security has also been taken into account. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) offices will be located on the ground floor, close to the platforms for better accessibility. On the northern side, the new station building will cover 10,800 sq m and the G+3 facility will include waiting halls, a VIP lounge, cloakroom, shops, kiosks, reservation office, retiring rooms, and railway offices. To ease traffic, a new road is being built on the southern side to connect DR Mahal Road with Rayala Cheruvu Road. This 80-foot-wide road will also connect the southern side building directly, once the existing running room is demolished and relocated. The Station Director said that with the final touches progressing fast, Tirupati Railway Station is well on its way to becoming a landmark facility that not only serves pilgrims better but also offers a modern, hassle-free experience for all passengers.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
TTD gearing up for annual Brahmotsavams from September 24 to October 2
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is gearing up for the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara scheduled from September 24 to October 2. Chairing a high-level review meeting with the heads of various departments, TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary on Thursday urged the officials to prepare a detailed roadmap and complete the arrangements in strict adherence to the time schedule. 'Garuda Vahanam' on September 28 The Brahmotsavams will commence with 'Ankurarpanam' on September 23, followed by 'Dwajarohanam' (flag hoisting) on September 24. Key events include 'Garuda Vahanam' on September 28, 'Rathotsavam' on October 1, and 'Chakrasnanam' on October 2. The daily vahana sevas will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the festival period. Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam, the prelude festival, will be organised on September 16. Except for those dignitaries arriving in person for darshan, the TTD decided to cancel VIP darshans during the festival period. Similarly, certain privileged darshan formats like those extended for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, parents with infants, NRIs, and donors also will remain suspended during the period. Personnel of the Vigilance and Police departments were instructed to implement a robust security plan, including streamlined traffic management, roadmaps, and parking arrangements. Priority would be attached to the queue line management, distribution of 'anna prasadam' (free meal), and maintenance of hygiene along the mada streets. The aesthetic decorations, including electric illuminations, floral and fruit displays, would be organised to enhance the devotional ambiance. The TTD also plans to invite young volunteers to serve as Srivari Sevaks, so as to assist in delivering quality services to the pilgrims. Curbs on two-wheelers The two-wheeler movement on Tirumala ghat roads would be prohibited from 9 p.m. on September 27 to 6 a.m. on September 29. The TTD also instructed the officials to stock adequate quantities of laddus to meet the demand during the Brahmotsavams.
New Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
In a first, helipad proposed at Navi Mumbai's Lord Venkateswara temple awaits TTD nod
TIRUMALA: The Lord Venkateswara temple under construction in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, is nearing completion but faces a new challenge regarding a proposed temporary helipad on its 10-acre site. The donor, Raymond Consumer Care Limited, has requested the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to consider developing a helipad on Plot No 3, Sector 12, allotted by the Maharashtra government through the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). However, site engineers have informed Raymond that there is no provision or approval for a helipad in the commencement certificate issued by CIDCO. Raymond has urged TTD to bring the matter to the attention of its management for a decision. TTD's Chief Engineer noted in official files that a helipad could serve as an emergency service provision and a secure entry-exit point for VVIPs, significantly reducing travel time. However, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao clarified that the proposed helipad would not be part of the core temple construction but within the temple premises. 'No permission has been granted yet for setting up of helipad at Lord Venkateswara temple in Navi Mumbai, as we are evaluating all parameters, including Agama Shastras,' Shyamala Rao told TNIE.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Time of India
TTD condemns Hyd based devotee's malicious propaganda over quality of Laddu
Tirupati: The world famous "Tirupati laddu" is once again in the news following a series of accusations levelled by a Hyderabad-based devotee on the quality of the prasadam. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has condemned the devotee's accusations and clarified that while it was true that the devotee identified as Naveen Kumar sustained an injury in his mouth when he tried to savour the sacred prasadam, but it was not because of the poor quality of the laddu. Naveen Kumar alleged in a video which has gone viral on various social media platforms that he sustained an injury in his mouth after he consumed the laddu prasadam after completing his darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on June 8. "On June 8 after TTD came to know about the incident and Naveen Kumar was rushed to TTD run Aswini and SVIMS hospitals and various medical tests were carried out and treatment was provided to him. The medical tests confirmed that Naveen Kumar sustained an injury as he bit his tongue while trying to eat the laddu. Hence it is clear that the injury caused to the devotee was not because of the poor quality of the prasadam", a TTD official clarified. The TTD authorities said the pilgrim has resorted to a malicious misinformation propaganda over the issue by levelling allegations over the quality of laddu with a sole intention of extorting a compensation from the Tirupati trust. "Since none of his allegations is true and since he has resorted to a false propaganda against the laddu prasadam, which has hurt the sentiments of the devotees worldwide, appropriate legal action will be initiated against Naveen Kumar for trying to mislead the public with his false propaganda", TTD authorities added. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Hans India
TTD to launch anti-drone security system at Tirumala
Tirupati: In a landmark move to bolster security while preserving the sanctity of one of India's most revered religious destinations, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has approved the deployment of advanced anti-drone technology at Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala. The initiative, which merges tradition with innovation, was cleared at a recent Trust Board meeting at Tirumala and marks a significant overhaul of the temple's security infrastructure. The decision comes amid rising concerns over aerial intrusions and the potential misuse of drones around the temple premises. Recent incidents of flying drones over the temple complex and in front of it highlighted the urgent need for stronger surveillance and enforcement mechanisms. The upcoming security system will be built around a multi-layered anti-drone defence network. This will include radar systems for long-range detection, radio frequency (RF) sensors to track drone signals, and thermal imaging equipment for visual surveillance. Once a drone is detected, it will be neutralised using jamming and spoofing technologies that cut off communication between the device and its operator. In addition to targeting drone-related threats, TTD is undertaking a broader transformation of its overall security apparatus. A senior official stated that the upgrade would also include artificial intelligence tools and facial recognition systems to enhance ground-level surveillance. These technologies are expected to help with crowd control, detect suspicious behaviour, and manage the flow of pilgrims, particularly during peak festival seasons. All AI-driven systems will be implemented under strict data privacy guidelines to protect individual information. TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao underlined the necessity of embracing technology at a location of such religious and cultural prominence. He said the proposed systems aim not only to prevent aerial violations but also to ensure the safety and spiritual experience of visiting devotees. To reinforce its efforts, the TTD has also appealed to the Union government to declare the Tirumala hills a no-fly zone, thereby strengthening the legal framework to deter future drone activity. In parallel, the TTD is evaluating several indigenous technological solutions developed by Indian companies, with the goal of customising them for use in high-sensitivity civilian areas such as temples. TTD is expected to float tenders shortly, with the first phase of installations planned for completion before the end of the year.
