TTD Shies Away From ‘Dial Your EO’ Programme, Devotees Miss Platform To Raise Issues

Tirupati:The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, once known for its open-door communication with devotees through the Dial Your EO programme, has been shying away from such impressive initiatives in recent times.

The discontinuation of this programme has left the devotees in the lurch. They no more have a platform to voice their concerns directly to the temple administration.

The interactive programme had been launched on February 2, 2001, by then TTD Executive Officer P Krishnayya. It was being held on the first Friday every month and telecast live on the TTD’s Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel. On a regular basis, the devotees could raise issues concerning darshan arrangements, accommodation, annadanam, queue management etc in Tirumala. The EO would respond to the queries and ensure remedial action.

Over the years, many such suggestions from devotees contributed to improvements in TTD services.

However, for the past eight months, the programme has been off the air. Except for a single session held in May this year, the TTD has looked the other way. Sources say the present EO has found it difficult to accommodate the programme in his schedule.

This communication gap has arisen at a time when TTD is already facing criticism over alleged lapses in management. The Vaikunta Ekadasi ticketing fiasco in January this year, which led to a stampede and the deaths of six devotees, caused outrage against the temple body. Allegations of poor coordination among senior officials further dented its credibility.

When political parties raised questions, they were responded with police/court cases or counterattacks. Media reports on lapses drew denials and warnings from the temple administration.

The Dial Your EO programme was the only open channel available for direct communication for the devotees. With the programme not being held regularly, pilgrims now feel their voice has been muted vis-à-vis the administration of the world’s richest and most visited temple.

“Earlier, we had a chance to ask the EO about problems in darshan or annadanam. Now it feels like the doors have been shut on the devotees,” rued a pilgrim from Tirupati.