Security beefed up for CM s Tirupati visit

Tirupati, Oct 1 (UNI) In the wake of serial bomb blasts across the country, security in the temple town and Tirumala has been tightened ahead of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's visit here today, The Chief Minister will inaugurate housing colony for weaker sections in Damineedu village and lay the foundation stone for the Rs 340 crore Sri Venkateswara Drinking water scheme to meet the needs of Chittoor, Tirupati, Tirumala and other surrounding villages in Chittoor district.

After inaugurating a Cancer Block in SVIMS, commissioning of traffic-signals at 17 major junctions and taking part in various programmes here, Mr Reddy will proceed to Tirumala hills, where he will offer a pair of silk vastrams to the Lord Venkateswara swamy around 2045 hours on behalf of the state government on the first day of 9-day Brahmotsavams beginning this evening.

He will also inaugurate the Rs 17 crore Koustubham pilgrim amenities centre at the hill top.

A strong contingent of 3,000 security personnel and TTD security wing have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident during the 9-day mega event, police said.

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