Installation of bullet-proof doors and jammers and deployment of Central Industrial Security Force are among the
measures mooted by the Andhra Pradesh police to step up the security in and around the Tirumala-Tirupati temple complex in the state.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen on Monday to review the existing security set-up at the temple complex, it was decided to install bullet-proof doors at two or three important places such as Mahadwaram and Vendi Vakili at the temple premises.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board has agreed to foot the bill for fixing the bullet-proof doors costing Rs 40 lakh each. It is proposed to set up bullet-proof cabins for security personnel at some points.
The world-famous TTD complex attracts 50,000 devotees who throng the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Venkateswara
and goddess Padmavathi everyday.
TTD is also the richest temple complex in India and the world with an estimated income of a whopping Rs 676 crore in the current financial year. The income is derived mainly from hundi collections, sale of seva tickets and special darshan tickets, sale of gold dollars, interest on investments and other miscellaneous receipts.
At present, various agencies -- TTD's own security wing, local police, district armed reserve, Special Protection Force, AP Special Police, intelligence security wing and private security guards -- are looking after the security arrangements at the sprawling temple complex on Tirumala Hills, leading to confusion and lack of coordination at times.
About 1,200 security personnel are deployed at the temple complex.
Even while evolving a multi-tier, fool-proof security set-up for the temple complex to prevent possible attacks by terrorists, the state police is planning to reduce the number of agencies involved and fix responsibility.
It has been decided to entrust the internal security duties, where there is less public interaction to the CISF and allow the local police to handle the peripheral security.
A requisition will be made to the CISF to take up the security at the temple after identifying the places, which could be manned by different agencies.
Though there is no threat to the temple complex, Chittoor district police will intensify combing operations in Seshakonda and Palakonda forests located on Tirumala Hills.
The security point at Alipiri, which is currently managed by private security personnel to check pilgrims and their baggage, is proposed to be manned by home guards instead of private security guards.
Installation of sophisticated jammers at various points to block signals from cell-phones and other electronic equipment inside and outside the temple is envisaged.
The intelligence set-up will be strengthened to monitor the activities of anti-social elements. The TTD has agreed to bear the cost of security equipment to be deployed.