TTD explores eco-friendly packaged water options for pilgrims visiting Tirumala
TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, has unveiled new plans for providing "safe, cost-effective and packaged" drinking water for the millions visiting the hill town.
A decision has been taken to explore new options after the new government implemented some reforms in Tirumala to improve the pilgrimage experience. A special focus of TTD would now be on ensuring the quality and distribution of Anna Prasadams and Naivedya prasadams to devotees, as also quality water, and enhancing the hygiene in Tirumala.
The temple administration led by Executive Officer Syamala Rao and Additional EO Venkaiah Chowdary has made it mandatory for all hotels in Tirumala to obtain safety and quality standard certificates from the Food Safety Department. Thereafter it shifted the focus to ensure quality to the packaged drinking water.
Previously, the TTD had taken steps to tackle plastic waste by prohibiting the sale of water in plastic containers. Instead, it allowed sale of packaged drinking water in glass bottles. However, devotees reported discrepancies in the deposit amounts collected for the glass bottles. There were sporadic incidents of attacks linked to the use of glass containers.
Tirumala shopkeepers charge pilgrims Rs 50 to Rs 60 for a 750ml glass bottle of water. Upon returning the bottle, the shopkeepers refund Rs 30. Similarly, for a 500ml packaged water bottle, they charge Rs 40 with a refund of Rs 25 upon its return.
"To address the issues of safety, overpricing etc, we are looking for cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives for supply of packaged drinking water to the devotees," a TTD official told Deccan Chronicle.
One cited option was the use of compostable water bottles. “These plant-based, zero-plastic water bottles were recently introduced at the Srisailam Devasthanams. Its manufacturer, Bio Elite, is the country's first certified compostable water bottle provider,” the official claimed.
“We are holding talks with representatives of Bio Elite and might introduce this system here," he added.
