Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu Inspects Tirupati Stampede Site, Criticizes Officials
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Tirupati, Jan 9 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, visited the site of a tragic stampede in Tirupati on Thursday, where six devotees lost their lives. He expressed his frustration towards officials for their failure to implement appropriate arrangements for the distribution of tokens during an annual event at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.
Upon arriving at Renigunta Airport, the Chief Minister headed directly to Vishnu Nivasam and subsequently to Padmavati Park, the locations where the two separate stampede incidents occurred.
Accompanied by various ministers, he reviewed the areas and questioned officials, including the District Collector, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Executive Officer, Joint Executive Officer, and police representatives, about their inability to foresee a large number of devotees and prepare adequate arrangements.
Clearly displeased with the officials, the Chief Minister sought information regarding the incidents and the measures taken by TTD and the district administration for the token distribution concerning the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
He specifically asked TTD Executive Officer Shyamala Rao why there was a lack of technological solutions and other crowd control strategies to facilitate a smooth token distribution process.
CM Naidu instructed TTD officials to ensure that such tragic occurrences do not happen again in the future. Following this, he visited the SVIMS Hospital operated by TTD to meet the injured victims.
He assured them that the government would provide all necessary assistance.
A total of 48 individuals sustained injuries during the stampede, with initial transfers to SVR Ruia Hospital. Out of these, 35 were later moved to SVIMS Hospital for more comprehensive care.
In the meantime, the police initiated two investigations regarding the stampedes that occurred at Padmavati Park and Vishnu Nivasam.
Earlier, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, responsible for the Tirupati district, visited SVIMS Hospital alongside his cabinet colleagues and declared a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each for the families affected by the tragedy.
State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Irrigation Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu, and Information and Public Relations Minister K. Parthasarathy also visited the hospital.
The bodies of the deceased are being transported back to their hometowns after post-mortem examinations. The victims have been identified as S. Lavanya (38), Kandipalli Santhi (33), G. Rajini (47) (all from Visakhapatnam), Malliga (50) from Tamil Nadu), Buddeti Naidu Babu (55) from Narsipatnam, and V. Nirmala (55) from Kerala.
