Two-tier security cover for temple town

TIRUPATI: A two-tier security cover will soon be in place in Tirupati and on Tirumala hills in view of the red alert sounded by security agencies.
Intelligence head K Aravind Rao said the security network would be foolproof covering the entire hill shrine. "It will also cover the surrounding areas of Tirumala up to a stretch of 4 km radius," he said.
On the Maha Mandapam, he said, the intelligence wing has never suggested to the TTD to displace or retain any structures in front of the main temple."We are supposed to provide security irrespective of these aspects and we have nothing to do with the structures," he asserted.
He said additional security forces would be deployed soon at the temple premises. "The hill shrine will soon get additional SPF men," he added.
Meanwhile, Tirumala is witnessing a heavy pilgrim rush. Apart from VIPs swarming the hill shrine, the common pilgrims' waiting period for the general darshan of the Lord has gone up to nearly 25 hours. "It is taking 12 hours for the Rs 50 darshan ticket holders," a TTD official said.