TIRUPATI: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) executive officer (EO) A.V. Dharma Reddy on Friday disclosed that the temple body is actively considering the devotees' request for the establishment of an eye bank on lines of its existing blood bank.
Speaking to reporters after the Dial Your EO programme in Tirumala, Dharma Reddy said during the interaction with devotees, a devotee suggested that TTD establish a Netra-Danam Trust for the visually impaired.
“We have already entered into an MoU with Aravind Eye Care Hospital for offering the best possible services to the needy with eye-related ailments. An eye bank will also be established soon," the EO announced.
He underlined that TTD has made significant contributions to medical health and research by establishing state-of-the-art speciality hospitals and universities.
Responding to a question, Dharma Reddy clarified that common devotees have been allocated 15 hours each day for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara, apart from 85 percent of available accommodation at Tirumala.
“Out of 18 hours of darshan time available during a day, only three hours are being provided to VIPs. As summer rush is going to commence soon, the board has decided to cut down on VIP referrals and other paid and privileged darshans till July 15. This will ensure that common pilgrims can have an easier darshan,” he explained.
The EO said facial recognition technology being implemented by TTD at the accommodation counters in Tirumala is yielding good results in terms of both improved occupancy and vacancy ratios, as well as revenue.
This year, TTD has received in March ₹120.29 crore by way of hundi collections. 20.57 lakh devotees have worshipped at the hill temple during the month.
TTD joint executive officers Sada Bhargavi and V. Veerabrahmam and public relations officer Talari Ravi were among those who participated in the Dial Your EO programme
