AP: Staff for each pilgrim climbing Tirumala by foot

Each of the pilgrims climbing Tirumala hills by foot will be provided a staff for protection and drones will also be used for their security

Tirupati: Each of the pilgrims climbing Tirumala hills by foot will be provided a staff for protection and drones will also be used for their security, according to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy.

Talking to media persons after a review meeting held with officials, police and forest personnel here on Monday in the wake of a leopard mauling a child to death in the Alipiri footpath route a couple of days ago, he said that as many as 500 cameras would be set up between Tirupati and Tirumala, and if necessary drone cameras would also be used.

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“TTD gives top priority for pilgrims safety and we are ready to spend any amount of money for the prupose. We are going to give a staff to every pilgrim climbing the hills on foot which will serve as a weapon. Children will be allowed in the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpath routes only from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. while elders could go till 10 p.m. Two-wheelers will be permitted on the ghat road only till 6 p.m. We have also decided to send pilgrims in groups,” he said.