The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Securitymen face `number dilemma' at Tirumala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 24, 2006
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Securitymen face `number dilemma' at Tirumala

Special Correspondent

Securitymen face a `number dilemma' on Tirumala hills

HYDERABAD: Securitymen of the Tirumala hills posted at the Alipiri Gate face a piquant situation. They are not sure many persons they have to allow uphill in a private vehicle.

The confusion has arisen due to three orders issued at different points of time, each specifying a different number. The issue is in focus now following insistence by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation on implementation of the first order issued by the Tirumala-Tirupathi Devasthanams in 1975 restricting the entry to seven-seaters like jeeps and cars -- meaning only seven persons are permitted in a private vehicle.

Another order was issued in 1989 opening the gates to 11-seaters after vans like Qualis and Sumo were manufactured. However, there were many occasions when the securitymen went by the earlier order, allowing only seven persons even in Sumo asking the other occupants, to get down. A third order was issued in 1996 by the Revenue Department to allow 16- plus-one vehicles like Swaraj Mazda. Since the securitymen themselves are not clear about which order to follow, scuffles and verbal duels are a regular sight at the main gate.

Transport Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana called for a joint meeting of TTD officials, RTC MD and others to sort out the issue.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section