Nellore: Those going to darshan in Tirumala are sometimes forced to remain in the waiting compartments for hours together and cut off with rest of the world communication wise because mobiles are not allowed inside. Without phones, there is no scope to inform your kin waiting outside for your return about the possible delay, the worry is more if those expecting your return are aged or children.

Realising the predicament of the pilgrims, TTD is planning to install advanced telephones in all the compartments in Vaikunta Queue Complex. “We are negotiating with service providers to keep advanced telephone facility in all compartments. We are also contemplating to restrict the time limit of each phone call to two minutes for the benefit of pilgrims. Today we had a first level meeting with BSNL, Aircel, Vodafone, Idea and Reliance Jio. By next week we will finalise the arrangement”, TTD JEO K.S. Srinivasa Raju said while speaking to media persons after a review with HODs at Tirumala on Tuesday.

He said they have decided to introduce milk distribution to infants and children waiting in compartments of VQC through female Srivari Seva volunteers following the feedback reports. “They will carry milk jars and cups and supply milk to children in each compartment on requirement. We are also designing new aprons to Srivari Sevakulu for this particular service”, he added.

The JEO also said, very soon display boards will be placed in the compartments to impart better information to pilgrims with respect darshan hours. "We have already begun making announcements in Alipiri footpath routes regarding pilgrim situation for the information of the pilgrims", he said.