Yadadri Temple Likely to Get Special Protection Force Ahead of Gold Coating

Hyderabad: A multi-layer security will be in place for the Yadadri Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple by February next when the gold-plating of the 47-feet-tall gopuram will be complete. The security team will be headed by an ACP-level officer.

The state government has drafted a blueprint for the temple’s security and will announce it by December after an audit. It is likely to deploy the Special Protection Force for security, crowd management, and anti-sabotage measures.

The temple currently attracts 8,000 to 12,000 devotees daily and up to 40,000 on festival days and weekends.

Endowment minister Konda Surekha has instructed that the gopuram gold-plating works should be completed before the temple's Brahmotsavam ritual. The government has formed a committee chaired by the principal secretary (endowment) and the director of the endowment department as a convener to oversee the work.

Highly skilled artisans of a private firm are on the delicate job to prepare the gold plates to fit the contours of the vimanam. Care would be taken to ensure that the gold plates were securely mounted to withstand weather conditions.

A senior officer told Deccan Chronicle that the security will be tightened at all levels — in the inner, middle and outer perimeters. “A mini police station will also be established atop the hillock. As the entry of VIPs is gradually picking up, the strength of the proposed SPF force would be increased further.”