Monday, Aug 8, 2022

TTD plans for plastic-free Tirumala in two months

By Telangana Today

Published: Published Date - 04:26 PM, Tue - 20 July 21

TTD plans for plastic-free Tirumala in two months — The temple authority requested devotees to carry their own water bottles, so as to avoid buying plastic water bottles from local shops.

Hyderabad: In an effort to reduce pollution and preserve the environment of the holy hills, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has appealed to devotees to avoid single-use plastic. The move comes with the aim of a plastic-free Tirumala in two months.

A high-level meeting was chaired by senior officials of the TTD , who ordered all the departments to impose total prohibition on the use of plastic in Tirumala.

The temple authority requested devotees to carry their own water bottles, so as to avoid buying plastic water bottles from local shops. Apart from this, food packaging, plastic toys and carry bags were also on the list of banned items.

Informing about the water facility in the temple town, TTD Additional EO Sri AV Dharma Reddy said: “All the rest houses in Tirumala should keep ready steel jars and mugs apart from Jalaprasadam water units. These steel jars and mugs should be cleaned thoroughly at regular intervals. Even the commercial outlets should keep ready glass, copper and steel bottles for the sake of pilgrims. All the locals and shopkeepers should cooperate with the TTD’s mission to ban usage of plastic in Tirumala.”

The official also called upon hotels and other business owners to follow proper precautions and maintain a healthy setting for all visitors. He urged all to ensure clean and sanitized premises so that devotees should not be put to any inconvenience. He also sought the cooperation of local business owners and visitors to adhere to the new regulations recommended for a green and safe Tirumala.

The visitors were also asked to use dustbins placed in every corner of the shrine. The current ban comes after a year of the administration stopping the sale of mineral water bottles.