The Good And Bad In TTD’s Performance During Milestone 2025

The TTD confronted a series of crisis, official probes and judicial scrutiny, while simultaneously pursuing reforms and modernisation of pilgrim services.

The year opened on a tragic note on January 8, when a stampede at the token distribution counters in Tirupati, ahead of the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan, claimed six lives and left several devotees injured. The incident drew criticism about the TTD’s crowd management arrangements, leading to redesigning of the system and expansion of e-ticketing.

Institutional integrity came under scrutiny in the months that followed, particularly with the revival of the High Court-ordered Parakamani case linked to the 2023 theft of foreign currency during Hundi counting. The board decided to file a fresh police complaint to identify those involved in suppressing facts as well as the 2023 Lok Adalat settlement, which resulted in the acquittal of the main accused.

Another major irregularity surfaced in the Lost and Found Goods wing, where valuables lost by pilgrims are kept. This resulted in disciplinary action against those who pilfered the goods lost by devotees. This led to inventory controls, expanded CCTV coverage and a shift to digital record-keeping of recovered and returned items.

The laddu ghee adulteration case from 2024 continued into 2025, with the SIT probe taken over by the CBI. It led to arrests and questioning of several individuals, including former TTD chairmen and executive officers, and review of the procurement processes.

Procurement by TTD again came under scrutiny in the final quarter of the year, with allegations that silk dupattas supplied to TTD did not conform to tender specifications.

Staff-related decisions triggered debate, with the current TTD trust board reiterating its policy on preserving the religious character of the institution and initiated redeployment of a few non-Hindu employees or offering them voluntary retirement.

The devasthanam pressed ahead with its long-term initiatives. Nearly one lakh tonnes of legacy waste accumulated at Tirumala got cleared. The trust board approved a multi-crore greening programme to improve forest cover on the hills and a 100-acre divine plantation to grow traditional tree species.

Pilgrim facilities saw a major upgrade in the third quarter of the year with inauguration of the ₹102-crore amenities complex. Technology adoption gathered pace with the launch of an AI-enabled Integrated Command and Control Centre to strengthen surveillance, crowd regulation and emergency response. Vision-based sorting machines have been introduced at the Srivari potu.

Modest improvements have been seen in anna prasadam through inclusion of masala vada in the menu. A structured feedback system has been put in place covering darshan, accommodation, sanitation and food services.

Cultural outreach continued with the annual Srivari Brahmotsavams in 2025 featuring performances by 298 cultural troupes from 28 states in India. The TTD has started a documentary series “Miracles of Tirumala-Tirupati.”

Despite turbulence, TTD ended 2025 on a strong financial footing. Donations to its trust crossed ₹920 crore. The year saw a leadership change with Anil Kumar Singhal assuming charge as the executive officer.

It is to be seen whether the groundwork during 2025 reshapes happenings in 2026 in a positive manner.