TIRUPATI (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 10: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust board expressed its condolences on Friday following a tragic stampede and announced plans to provide free education for the children of the victims.
Additionally, the board has committed to offering a ‘contract’ job to the relatives of the six devotees who lost their lives, as per the directive of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
The stampede occurred at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School and Vishnu Nivasam counters in Tirupati on January 8, resulting in the deaths of six devotees and injuring nearly 40 others as crowds surged for tickets to the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills.
Devotees from all over the country had gathered for the 10-day event starting January 10.
“This tragic incident should not have happened; it stemmed from the mistakes of one or two individuals. The board has deeply expressed its sorrow regarding this matter. I urge everyone to reflect on the situation,” stated TTD chairman B R Naidu during an emergency board meeting.
“We pray for the peace of the souls who perished in this unfortunate event,” he added.
He emphasized that strict action would be taken against those responsible after the judicial inquiry ordered by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu clarifies the facts.
In addition to providing an ex-gratia payment of ₹25 lakh to the families of the deceased and financial assistance ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh for the injured pilgrims, the chairman noted that free education would be available for the children of the deceased at TTD institutions.
B R Naidu confirmed that compensation cheques are prepared and will be distributed by board members and local ministers to the injured and relatives of the deceased either on December 11 or Sunday.
TTD board members V Prashanthi Reddy and Suchitra Ella have also pledged ₹10 lakh each, while M S Raju has committed ₹3 lakh each as personal financial support for the families of the deceased devotees, as mentioned by the chairman.
The board reiterated its decision to provide ‘contract’ jobs to the families of the six deceased devotees in line with the CM’s directive.
Furthermore, the temple body chairman remarked that measures will be implemented to prevent disasters like the stampede from happening again, acknowledging that no amount of action can replace the loss endured by the victims.
Earlier on Friday, a special darshan was arranged for the devotees injured in the stampede.
As promised by the chief minister, TTD facilitated the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam during the auspicious occasion of Mukkoti Ekadasi, which is believed to promise heavenly entry.
“In accordance with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s directives, TTD officials organized special darshan arrangements for the injured devotees from the Tirupati stampede incident,” a TTD press release stated.
The district administration arranged special transportation for the devotees to return home.
Tirupati district collector S Venkateswar reported that 32 injured devotees have been discharged from the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), with the possibility of five more being discharged later that day.
Meanwhile, the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam was celebrated with great piety on Mukkoti Ekadasi.
“The Dwara Darshanam commenced early in the morning following the abhishekam. Officials opened the darshan half an hour ahead of schedule, satisfying the devotees’ expectations. The entire Tirumala resonated with the divine chants of ‘Govinda… Govinda,’ and the joyous atmosphere among the devotees was undeniable,” according to the release.
The temple body prioritized general devotees by limiting VIP entries.
A TTD official noted that an estimated 4,000 devotees experienced darshan per hour that Friday, while B R Naidu reported that around 40,000 people visited the deity that day. (PTI)