Spice-filled air, unhygienic kitchens: Pilgrims struggle amid fast-food chaos in Tirumala
TTD EO Syamala Rao warned that licences would be cancelled if vendors failed to meet safety norms
TIRUPATI: The sacred hill shrine of Tirumala, which attracts lakhs of devotees every month, is facing a mounting issue—unregulated fast-food stalls that are encroaching onto pilgrim paths, raising health concerns and other issues.
Unhygienic practices, excessive pricing and strong fumes from masala-laden Indo-Chinese dishes are the major worries.
Devotees are deeply irritated over the pungent air around them, thick with spices. Food stalls, particularly those selling gobi manchurian, paneer-65, fried rice and similar dishes, often do the cooking in open spaces with stoves placed on the pavement. The heavy use of garam masala, chilli powder and other spices results in fine particles dispersing into the air.
Many devotees have reported eye irritation, burning sensations and respiratory discomfort while passing through these areas. “I felt as if I had walked into a kitchen, not a temple town,” said Dudi Sujatha Reddy from Sullurpeta.
“My eyes started watering the moment I crossed a group of stalls frying Gobi. It’s unbearable, especially for senior citizens and children.”
These stalls are located mainly near the pilgrims’ amenities complexes, Rambagicha bus stand, Central reception office, Kalyani choultry, HT complex, DMB road, the main shopping complex and along walking paths—leaving pilgrims with little choice but to endure the fumes.
Equally troubling are unhygienic practices—stalls operating without sanitation, using unfiltered water, and reusing oil multiple times. Flies hover over vegetables and open containers, while some wash utensils near open drains and store food in an uncovered manner, inviting flies. Overpricing adds to the concern, with vendors exploiting high demand despite the presence of regulations on pricing and portion sizes.
Sources within the TTD revenue and panchayat section admit that while there are guidelines for issuing licences, rule implementation remains a grey area. “There are rules for licensing, but there’s no strategic framework for location allocation. This has led to clustering of fast-food centres in high-footfall areas,” official on condition of anonymity stated.
Recent inspections by TTD revenue, panchayat and health departments found multiple violations, including illegal expansion of shops, lack of hygiene and price gouging. As a corrective step, TTD is insisting on food safety certifications from the food safety department for all food outlets.
TTD EO Syamala Rao warned that licences would be cancelled if vendors failed to meet safety norms. “This is a sacred place, and the health of pilgrims is non-negotiable,” he said at a recent meeting.