Tirupati Stampede: TTD Chairman BR Naidu Offers Financial Aid to Injured Devotees

On Saturday, BR Naidu, chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), visited individuals injured in a recent stampede. He provided them with financial aid cheques. The incident occurred on Wednesday at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School and Vishnu Nivasam counters in Tirupati. Six people lost their lives, and nearly 40 were injured as crowds scrambled for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills.

The temple body announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased. Additionally, financial assistance between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh was promised for those injured. Devotees had gathered from all over India for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam starting January 10.

Financial Aid Distribution

Naidu visited the critically and partially injured devotees at SVIMS Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences super specialty hospital on Saturday evening. He handed over cheques for ex gratia financial aid, according to a TTD press release. Timmakka from Annamaiah district and Eswaramma from Vizag received Rs 5 lakh each.

Following a TTD board meeting on Saturday, Naidu established two committees comprising several board members. These committees will personally deliver Rs 25 lakh ex gratia cheques to the families of the six victims on Sunday.

Additional Support Measures

The committees will also assess the job and education status of family members to explore opportunities for providing contract jobs or free education in TTD institutions. They will distribute cheques of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh to those seriously and partially injured.

This initiative aims to support affected families by offering financial aid and potential employment or educational opportunities. The TTD's efforts reflect their commitment to assisting those impacted by this tragic event.