Tirumala Tightens Security, Crowd Control for Garuda Seva Rush

Tirumala is preparing for a heavy pilgrim influx for Saturday's Garuda Vahana Seva, with police and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) authorities putting in place a multi-layered security, crowd-control and traffic management plan to keep devotee movement smooth and safe.

Anantapur Range Inspector General Shimushi Bajpai, Tirupati Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu and TTD Chief Vigilance and Security Officer K.V. Muralikrishna reviewed the arrangements on Friday. Personnel have been told to stay on heightened alert, especially at identified crowd-pressure points.

Officials expect a substantial surge in footfalls, citing the weekend, the Tamil Purattasi month and free bus services. Staff have been directed to anticipate crowd build-up and act preventively rather than wait for pressure to escalate, with attention focused on the mada streets, galleries, queue lines, GNC, Ramabagicha, Ragimanu and Lepakshi.

Once the galleries fill up, access to the mada streets will be regulated through layered inner and outer cordons and designated feeder channels. Additional forces and rope parties will be posted at pressure points, including Bedi Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Pancha Janyam, the T-junction and Lepakshi, to allow quick intervention.

Traffic management has been given priority. When parking on Tirumala is full, vehicles will be diverted to designated alternative areas. Private vehicles will be parked at identified facilities in Tirupati, from where RTC buses will ferry pilgrims to GNC and onward to Tirumala through free shuttle services. Two-wheeler movement will be closely watched, with night-time diversions and alternative parking arrangements to be introduced if needed.

Command-control rooms, CCTV cameras, drones and dedicated wireless communication systems will provide round-the-clock surveillance. Special coordination channels linking the police, TTD vigilance, RTC and other departments will support rapid information exchange and emergency response.

Personnel have also been asked to monitor pedestrian routes with signage and public announcements, and to remain alert to missing children, elderly pilgrims and medical emergencies. Senior officers will maintain a ground-level presence and coordinate across sectors to prevent crowd pressure from spilling into adjoining areas. Staff have been instructed to stay disciplined and deal with devotees courteously, patiently and with a service-oriented approach.