Centre to review TTD’s safety steps at Tirumala  

In response to the recent incidents at Tirumala, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has intervened to address the lapses in security and crowd management. A crucial review meeting has been scheduled for January 20, 2025, with TTD officials to assess the situation and implement necessary corrective measures.
The tragic stampede on January 8, 2025, and the fire on January 13, 2025, have raised serious concerns over the temple management’s handling of crowd control and safety protocols. Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) at the MHA, will lead the meeting, which aims to address the growing security and crowd management issues at the temple complex. Jindal is expected to arrive in Tirupati on the evening of January 19, 2025, aboard the Vande Bharat Express from Chennai.
This unprecedented intervention reflects increasing concerns over the governance of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), with allegations of political interference undermining the institution’s core responsibility: ensuring the safety and well-being of millions of devotees. Despite its sacred role in managing the temple, TTD has come under criticism for prioritising political interests over effective governance.
The TTD governing body, responsible for overseeing one of the holiest temples in India, finds itself at the centre of a governance crisis after two tragic incidents within a week. With the review meeting ahead, the management is under intense pressure to demonstrate accountability and restore public confidence, especially in light of the recent tragedies that have tarnished the temple’s reputation.