Garbage-free Tirumala is our aim: Sharmista

Tirumala: Keeping the health concerns of the large gathering of devotees for the annual Brahmotsavams, a record number of 2,500 health workers have been deployed to ensure upkeep and sanitation in Tirumala. They work in three shifts for keeping holy hills clean and tidy and lift promptly the accumulated garbage, said Dr S Sharmista, Health Officer of TTD.

Addressing the media persons in media centre at Tirumala on Tuesday, Sharmista said 800 persons have been deployed to provide drinking water etc. to devotees sitting in the galleries of the mada Streets for witnessing the Vahana Sevas.

As many as 41 permanent toilets have been set up in the four mada streets and some more would be added by the time of Vaikunta Ekadasi, she added. She said during the Garuda Seva Day nearly 6 lakh water packets were distributed to devotees in the mada streets. Laddu Prasadam, Annaprasadam and drinking water were tested by a senior analyst for quality and safety before distribution to devotees.

The roads and all courtyards of the Tirumala shrine were cleared on an hourly basis and garbage was sent to the dumping yards, she said.
About 90 tonnes of waste per day is being cleared during the ongoing Brahmotsavams as against about 50 tonnes general daily on normal days.

The average pilgrim rush to Tirumala which would be about 70,000 daily surge to one lakh and above during special festive occasions like the annual Brahmotsavam which would be conducted for nine days. TTD Public Relations Officer T Ravi also present.