TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust board, which met here on Saturday, resolved to purchase 1,750 Closed Circuit Television Cameras at a cost of Rs. 62 crore, with the objective to strengthen its security mechanism both at Tirumala and Tirupati besides various other temples under its fold.

The meeting also decided to henceforth send proposals to the Chief Secretary of the State as well as to the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, besides other allied Intelligence officials for securing required clearances. The management is also thinking on the lines of accepting donations for the mega scheme once the proposals get through. Meanwhile HCL Company has in principle agreed to extend its technical assistance for the project.

Even though there was a consensus among the member trustees (to a great extent) with regard to the cancellation of the VIP break darshan system during evenings on a permanent basis, the meeting decided to further assess the ‘pros and cons’ involved in the system before finally jumping to conclusions. Till then, the present restrictions will be allowed to continue.

While the board resolved to appoint renowned violinist Kalaimamani Kumari Kanyakumari as the Asthana Vidwan of the Tirumala temple for a period of five years, it also gave its nod to appoint Avadhanam maestro Dr. Medasani Mohan as Special Officer, TTDs Vangmaya project, for a period of one year.

A decision was taken to construct an amenities complex for pilgrims along with a kalyanam hall at a cost of Rs.68 crore at Tiruchanoor besides extending financial aid for the construction of Annaprasada Bhavan in Tenali.

Meanwhile, the TTDs Chairman K. Bapiraju who chaired the meeting, said that the board had also approved the decision to purchase toned milk (35 lakh litres at Rs. 22.25 per litre), ten thousand kilograms of curd (at Rs.24.35 per kilogram) and three lakh litres of buttermilk (at Rs. 12.50 per litre) by way of inviting tenders during the current financial year.